Introductory description

This is the final year core module for all joint and single honours Global Sustainable Development undergraduate programmes. It requires students to bring together theoretical concepts and practical approaches that they have encountered on the course in order to address a specific problem. Students should demonstrate their ability to think across disciplines and produce an original intervention in the field of sustainable development.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Year 2 Term 3
Introduction to GD307 (this session includes guidance on: generating original ideas and deciding on your project; the submission of an expression of interest form; project management skills; managing the relationship with your supervisor)

Year 3 
Module convenors will publish at the start of year a detailed schedule outlining deadlines and teaching sessions as follows:
Term 1
-three lectures covering topics such as: ow to write an effective research proposal; Literature review, research question, and methods; Collecting and analysing data; managing your research
-a mix of scheduled and optional supervision meetings (group or individual)
- weeks to be devoted to independent work
-submission of the proposal and subsequent meeting with supervisor for feedback

Term 2
-three lectures covering topics such as: Structuring your dissertation; Dissemination and communication strategies
-a mix of scheduled and optional supervision meetings  (format to be agreed with the supervisor)
-weeks to be devoted to independent work

Term 3
-optional supervision meeting
-Dissemination event
-Submission of project

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• By the end of the module students will have learned to design a feasible research project.
• By the end of the module students will have planned, implemented and managed a research project.
• By the end of the module students will have produced a piece of original research that is based on a topical issue related to Global Sustainable Development.
• By the end of the module students will have designed a public dissemination event to showcase their findings.
• By the end of the module students will have presented the findings of their research project in a public forum.

Research element

This is the final year core module for the Global Sustainable Development programmes which requires students to plan, implement and manage a research project (with supervision).

Interdisciplinary

This is a core module on the Global Sustainable Development course which adopts an interdisciplinary approach spanning the arts, humanities, social and natural sciences fields in order to engage with the major global challenges facing contemporary society, explore these 'big problems,' from a variety of perspectives and consider a range of possible solutions.

International

This is a core module on the Global Sustainable Development course which offers a unique trans-disciplinary and international learning experience that allows students to achieve breadth and depth of knowledge.

Subject specific skills

critically assess and analyse sustainability issues that need to be addressed, including real-life examples
use and apply established frameworks and methodologies for analysing the impact(s) of a behaviour or process
generate and evaluate different models of sustainable development to assess their likely impact
actively implement or contribute to changes that promote sustainable development within the scope of own learning experience
engage with real-life problems relevant to sustainable development
use historical knowledge and an understanding of the consequences of past actions to envision how futures may be shaped
identify the importance of empowering individuals and organisations to work together to create new knowledge
employ leadership for sustainable development by challenging assumptions and negotiating alternatives to unsustainable current practices
identify the opportunities to support and develop a progressive and resilient culture that encourages citizens, professions and institutions to put learning into practice

Transferable skills

Oral communication skills
Working with others
Problem solving
Information technology
Numeracy
Research across various disciplines
Peer review