Course syllabus

Course-PM

MMS295 Social sustainable shipping lp1 HT26 (7.5 hp)

Course is offered by Chalmers School of Maritime Studies

Contact details

Examiner: Fredrik Olindersson, fredrik.olindersson@chalmers.se

Teachers:

• Cajsa Jersler Fransson, R3DO
• Jill Jarnsäter, R3DO
• Momoko Kitada, World Maritime University
• Jan Skoog, Chalmers
• Fredrik Forsman, Chalmers
• Mathias Rosenblad, Stena Line AB
• Guest lecturers

Course purpose

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.

Schedule

TimeEdit

Schedule with lessons

Course literature

1. Brundtland Report (1987) Chapter two, “Towards Sustainable Development” Link here
2. Crenshaw, Kimberle (1989) "Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics," University of Chicago Legal Forum: Vol. 1989, Article 8. Link here
3. Amartya Sen (1990) ”Development as Capability Expansion” Human Development and the International Development Strategy for the 1990s. Link here
4. Crenshaw, Kimberlé (1991) “Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence Against Women of Color” Link here
5. Stuart Hall (1997) “The Work of Representation” Representation: Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices. Link here
6. Johan Galtung (1969) “Violence, Peace, and Peace Research” Link here
7. David Harvey (1992) “Social Justice, Postmodernism and the City” Article in International Journal of Urban and Regional Research. Link here
8. Görmezoglu, B. et al. (2024). The Power of Thriving: How Social Sustainability in Organizations Relies on a Culture of Knowledge Sharing. Link here
9. Tian, M. et al. (2022). The influence of corporate social responsibility on safety behavior: The importance of psychological safety and authentic leadership. Link here
10. Lamm, E., Tosti-Kharas, J., & King, C. (2020). Sustainability empowerment in the workplace: determinants and effects. Link here
11. Dahlman, J. et al (2025) Waves of Well-being: Measuring Social Sustainability in the Maritime Sector. Link here
12. “Social Sustainability at Sea” (2025) REDO 2 Main Report. Link here

13. Buckingham, S., Hultman, M., Magnusdottir, G. L. and Morrow, K. (n.d.) Feminist climate policy in industrial states – a gender-just climate emergency response. Routledge. Link here

14. Kitada, M. and Hiwatashi, R. (2024) Achieving gender equality through simulator training, IAMU. Link here 

15. Kitada,M., Barahona‑Fuente, C. and Castells‑Sanabra, M. (2025) Masculinities in maritime education and training: an opportunity to advance towards gender equality. Maritime Studies pp24-38. Link here

16. Kitada, M. (2026). Handbook on Gender Mainstreaming in the Maritime Sector. Link here

17. IMO. (2026). Considerations on the way forward for empowering all women and the promotion of DEEI in the Maritime Sector. Submitted by Belgium, Honduras, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, IMHA, IMLA, INTERTANKO, ITF, ISWAN, WISTA International. TC 76/8/4. Link here

18. IMO. (2026). Comments on document TC 76/8/4. Submitted by the United Arab Emirates. TC 76/8/7. Link here

19. Metcalf, L. & Benn, S. (2012) Leadership for sustainability: An evolution of leadership ability. Journal of business ethics, Volume 112, pp. 369-384. Link here
    
20. Vinko PAVIĆ1, Mate BARIĆ, Luka GRBIĆ and Ivan MIŠLOV, SIRE 2.0 - Integration of Human Factors into the Tanker Inspection Program. University of Zadar, Maritime Department, Croatia. Link here

Keep an eye on the list. More literature can be presented by external lecturers at a later stage as well as changes to the readings. 

Course design

• The course is organized around:
  - Lectures and guest lectures (bonus points for the final written exam when attending some lectures)
  - A workshop (mandatory),
  - Project assignment including written report and oral presentation (mandatory)
  - Written exam (mandatory)

Changes made since the last occasion

The course is now using the whole study period, not only part of it. Small adjustments to workshop instructions.

Learning objectives and syllabus

Learning objectives:

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.

Link to the syllabus on Studieportalen.

https://www.chalmers.se/en/education/your-studies/find-course-and-programme-syllabi/course-syllabus/MMS295/?acYear=2026/2027

Examination form

The course include the following examination elements

Part A: Workshop:
Requirements: Compulsory participation (September 23)
Graded: failed/passed