In this paper the use of the actor analysis method for teaching purposes is illustrated in a practical manner in the case of brown coal mining in North-West Bohemia. It describes how a tertiary education course was developed around this regional sustainable development issue and which was also examined and described with use of the case study method.
It demonstrates the context of teaching and basic educational goals; it also describes the issue in brief and the conflict which was the focus of research attention as it uncovers the relationships between the actors and their roles. In addition, it presents the "teaching notes" developed for this particular teaching programme in more detail and what was required of students.
Finally, it describes the results of students' work and thus also opens up new perspectives concerning the issue under consideration - the development of social capital in the industrialized region of North-West Bohemia.