Human Ecology: Culture, Economy and Ecology
Source: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/study/human-ecology-culture-economy-and-ecology-HEKN11 Parent: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/university-glance/mission-vision-and-values/sustainability/sustainability-education-lund-university
Course • Master's level • 15 credits
Explore how human societies, cultures and economic systems intersect with the environment, and develop critical and analytical tools to understand sustainability through historical, cultural and political lenses.
Start
Autumn 2026
Level
Master's
Language
English
Place of study
Lund
Course code
HEKN11
- Overview
- Teaching and learning
- After the course
Overview
You will get an integrated and interdisciplinary introduction to the cultural, historical and political dimensions of human–environmental relations. You explore how environmental problems arise, are understood and are dealt with in different societies, and you gain insight into how resource use and sustainability challenges are shaped by broader cultural, economic and ecological processes.
Throughout the course you engage with three thematic modules: Introduction to Human Ecology, Global Environmental History, and Economies as Cultural Systems. These three themes will provide you with essential perspectives and analytical tools to achieve an integrated, trans-disciplinary understanding of the cultural and political dimensions of sustainability.
It is included in the Master of Science programme in Human Ecology: Culture, Power and Sustainability, and is also offered as a freestanding course.
All teaching is conducted in English and takes place at the Department of Human Geography, in the charming city of Lund.
Course syllabus
The syllabus contains the formal and legal details of the entire course. It’s a legal document outlining the course structure and requirements, intended mainly for administrative use.
Course literature
The course literature listed may be updated up to eight weeks before the course begins.
Course literature HEKN11 (PDF, New tab)
Teaching and learning
Teaching includes primarily lectures, but also seminars and group discussions. You critically engage with core literature and theoretical perspectives from environmental history, cultural anthropology and political ecology. Seminars emphasise active participation to deepen your understanding and refine your analytical skills.You learn to integrate different disciplinary viewpoints and to analyse human–environmental relations from both cultural and biophysical perspectives.
You will study at the Department of Human Geography at Geocentrum I in central Lund – a place that brings together lecturers, researchers and students from all over the world in a stimulating and international study environment.
After the course
After completing the course, you will have advanced knowledge of how culture, economy and ecological relations intersect in shaping human-environmental systems. You will be better equipped to critically analyse environmental problems from multiple disciplinary perspectives and discuss their implications for sustainability.
These skills prepare you for further studies in human ecology, sustainability studies, development research or related interdisciplinary fields. They are also valuable for professional paths involving environmental communication, international development, cultural analysis, sustainability strategy or research support.
- Dates
- Requirements and selection
- Tuition fees
Dates
Autumn Semester 2026
Apply via Antagning.se (in Swedish) by 15 April.
Lund - Full time 100%
Start
31 August 2026
31 Aug 2026
End
1 November 2026
1 Nov 2026
Form
Normal learning
Pace
Full time
Language
English
City
Lund
Requirements and selection
Prerequisites
A Bachelor´s degree in human ecology or another relevant subject, e.g. anthropology, sociology, geography, environmental studies, or the equivalent. English 6/English Course B.
Selection criteria
Seats are allocated according to: ECTS (HPAV): 100 %.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens
Citizens of countries outside:
- The European Union (EU)
- The European Economic Area (EEA) and
- Switzerland
are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each \ semester.
Tuition fees, payments and exemptions
Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 33,750 \ First payment: SEK 33,750
Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.
No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland
There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
Overview
You will get an integrated and interdisciplinary introduction to the cultural, historical and political dimensions of human–environmental relations. You explore how environmental problems arise, are understood and are dealt with in different societies, and you gain insight into how resource use and sustainability challenges are shaped by broader cultural, economic and ecological processes.
Throughout the course you engage with three thematic modules: Introduction to Human Ecology, Global Environmental History, and Economies as Cultural Systems. These three themes will provide you with essential perspectives and analytical tools to achieve an integrated, trans-disciplinary understanding of the cultural and political dimensions of sustainability.
It is included in the Master of Science programme in Human Ecology: Culture, Power and Sustainability, and is also offered as a freestanding course.
All teaching is conducted in English and takes place at the Department of Human Geography, in the charming city of Lund.
Course literature
The course literature listed may be updated up to eight weeks before the course begins.
Course literature HEKN11 (PDF, New tab)
Teaching and learning
Teaching includes primarily lectures, but also seminars and group discussions. You critically engage with core literature and theoretical perspectives from environmental history, cultural anthropology and political ecology. Seminars emphasise active participation to deepen your understanding and refine your analytical skills.You learn to integrate different disciplinary viewpoints and to analyse human–environmental relations from both cultural and biophysical perspectives.
You will study at the Department of Human Geography at Geocentrum I in central Lund – a place that brings together lecturers, researchers and students from all over the world in a stimulating and international study environment.
After the course
After completing the course, you will have advanced knowledge of how culture, economy and ecological relations intersect in shaping human-environmental systems. You will be better equipped to critically analyse environmental problems from multiple disciplinary perspectives and discuss their implications for sustainability.
These skills prepare you for further studies in human ecology, sustainability studies, development research or related interdisciplinary fields. They are also valuable for professional paths involving environmental communication, international development, cultural analysis, sustainability strategy or research support.
Dates
Autumn Semester 2026
Apply via Antagning.se (in Swedish) by 15 April.
Lund - Full time 100%
Start
31 August 2026
31 Aug 2026
End
1 November 2026
1 Nov 2026
Form
Normal learning
Pace
Full time
Language
English
City
Lund
Requirements and selection
Prerequisites
A Bachelor´s degree in human ecology or another relevant subject, e.g. anthropology, sociology, geography, environmental studies, or the equivalent. English 6/English Course B.
Selection criteria
Seats are allocated according to: ECTS (HPAV): 100 %.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens
Citizens of countries outside:
- The European Union (EU)
- The European Economic Area (EEA) and
- Switzerland
are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each \ semester.
Tuition fees, payments and exemptions
Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 33,750 \ First payment: SEK 33,750
Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.
No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland
There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
Contact us
Study advisor freestanding courses human ecology
Email: studievagledare@hek.lu.se