Course syllabus for Social sustainable shipping

Course syllabus adopted 2026-02-16 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameSocial hållbarhet inom sjöfarten
  • CodeMMS295
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPMAR
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyShipping and Marine Technology
  • ThemeEnvironment 7.5 c
  • DepartmentCHALMERS SCHOOL OF MARITIME STUDIES
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 01115
  • Maximum participants30 (at least 10% of the seats are reserved for exchange students)
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0125 Examples class, part A 1.5 c
Grading: UG		1.5 c
0225 Written and oral assignments, part B 3 c
Grading: UG		3 c
0325 Examination, part C 3 c
Grading: TH		3 c

In programmes

Examiner

Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements

Course specific prerequisites

None.

Aim

The course aims to provide in-depth knowledge and understanding of social sustainability in the maritime sector and operational ship operations, with a particular focus on equality, inclusion, norms, power structures and human factors in the maritime work environment. The course provides tools for understanding international regulatory guidelines for working conditions and addresses how social sustainability can be understood, analyzed and put into practice, from the societal level to organizations, groups and individuals on board ships, as well as standards for safety.

The course introduces central theories and concepts in social sustainability, such as intersectionality, representation, structural violence, social justice and human development, as well as their relevance to working conditions, work environment and well-being in shipping. The course also provides tools for working in a norm-critical and norm-creative manner and for developing and implementing measures that strengthen social sustainability. Through lectures, reflections, workshops and a written examination assignment, students are given the opportunity to develop a critical and applicable perspective on social sustainability in maritime organizations. To promote critical thinking and reflection on equality, quality and ergonomics in sustainable ship management, a group project assignment is carried out in the course. The project assignment is presented orally and as a written report.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

Knowledge and comprehension
  • Explain how social sustainability relates to working conditions, work environment, well-being and safety in the maritime sector.
  • Explain key theories, concepts and historical perspectives within social sustainability, such as intersectionality, representation, norms, social justice and human development.
  • Describe and use frameworks and standards for safety inspections.

Application
  • Critically analyze power structures, norms and privileges in maritime work environments from a social sustainability perspective.
  • Critically evaluate working conditions to support decision-making for improving social sustainability in the maritime sector.
  • Apply theories of social sustainability, intersectionality and representation in the analysis of practical and contemporary situations in maritime transport.
  • Formulate proposals for measures to promote equality, inclusion and social sustainability, for example by developing an equal treatment plan adapted for ship operations and integrated into ISM/SMS.
  • Assess requirements for dissemination and documentation of working conditions based on the protection of personal integrity when processing personal data, e.g. European General Data Protection Regulation, or General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).Explain how social sustainability relates to working conditions, working environment, well-being and safety in the maritime sector.
  • Explain central theories, concepts and historical perspectives within social sustainability, such as intersectionality, representation, norms, social justice and human development.
  • Describe and use frameworks and standards for safety inspections.

Content

The course mainly addresses the UN's global goals for sustainable development: Goal 5 – Gender equality, Goal 8 – Decent work and economic growth and Goal 10 – Reduced inequality.

The course provides the student with skills such as:
  • Understanding of work and working conditions
  • Insights into social occupational health and safety/ergonomics/human factors in complex socio-technical maritime systems
  • Knowledge of social sustainability: Central theories, definitions, social justice and its historical development, as well as importance in society and working life
  • Tools for gender equality and equal treatment on board ships
  • Practical application through workshops, reflections and written examination assignment

Organisation

The course is organized around:
- Lectures and guest lectures (mandatory)
- Video-recorded lectures
- A workshop including written report (mandatory),
- Project assignment including written report and oral presentation (mandatory)
- Written exam (mandatory)

Literature

Literature will be presented in the CoursePM and published on the course web page

Examination including compulsory elements

The course include the following examination elements

Part A: Workshop:
Requirements: Compulsory participation
Passed written report
Graded: TH scale (i.e. Failed, 3, 4, 5)

Part B: Project work:
Requirements: Passed submitted project report, and oral presentation of submitted project.
Graded: failed / passed
 
PART C: Written exam:
Requirements: Passed with a grade (3)
Graded: TH scale (i.e. Failed, 3, 4, 5)

For a final grade on the course all examination requirements must be passed. The final grade of the course is set by the written workshop report (PART A) and the exam (PART C).

Failure on any of the examination elements will be examined during the re-examination period of the course. 

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers about disability study support.