Introductory description

This module is a core second year module on the BA in Liberal Arts courses. It complements the other core module on Consumption and each explores a major organizing concept of contemporary society from different intellectual perspectives.

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.

The module's structure is based around the broad issue of Sustainability, with a strong focus on problems based across the spectrum of social, economic and environmental challenges. The course begins with a study of the current critical and theoretical approaches to addressing Sustainability. Theoretical frameworks and systems thinking are also introduced as ways on understanding sustainability. After the introductory section of the course. Classes then branch out into topics on sustainability with a weekly problem for students to work on in groups. The Sustainability topics are usually grouped into related topics, however, there is also the freedom in the course for student interests to lead the direction of study through the selection of weekly topics for some of the sessions later in the course. The final section of the course is a return to the conceptual and theoretical approaches to Sustainability. Focusing on some of the strengths and limitations uncovered throughout the course, challenges to progress, possible solutions and revisiting our thoughts and preferred frameworks for understanding Sustainability.

Learning outcomes

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

• Demonstrate advanced cognitive skills such as critical analysis, source-text analysis, quantitative and qualitative research methods and communication skills.
• Utilise meta-cognitive skills developed through problem-based learning such as planning how to approach a learning task, identifying the appropriate strategies to solve a problem, monitoring their own comprehension, self-assessing and self-correcting, and becoming aware of their own learning, strengths, and weaknesses.
• Demonstrate both knowledge and understanding of the challenges inherent in conceptualising and defining sustainability in a holistic sense (including contextual, ethical, political), and the skills required to deal with such complexity (such as systems thinking).
• Interpret and critically respond to sustainability-related issues through subject-specific knowledge relating to measures used to assess sustainability (and their limitations), the role of businesses and the relationship between economic growth and sustainability, the debates around population growth, and the tension between urban and rural development.
• Articulate their own individual framework for narrating and explaining sustainability.

Indicative reading list

The module will be taught using 2 textbooks (both available as e-books from the library): Kopnina, H. and Shoreman-Ouimet, E. (eds) (2015). Sustainability : Key Issues. Routledge Stibbe, A. (ed) (2009). The Handbook of Sustainability Literacy. Green Books

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Interdisciplinary

This is a core module on the BA in Liberal Arts course which offers students an interdisciplinary learning experience allowing students to achieve breadth and depth of knowledge

Subject specific skills

Demonstrate both knowledge and understanding of the challenges inherent in conceptualising and defining sustainability in a holistic sense (including contextual, ethical, political), and the skills required to deal with such complexity (such as systems thinking)

Transferable skills

The module's structure is based around the broad issue of Sustainability, with a strong focus on problems based across the spectrum of social, economic and environmental challenges. The course begins with a study of the current critical and theoretical approaches to addressing Sustainability. Theoretical frameworks and systems thinking are also introduced as ways on understanding sustainability. After the introductory section of the course. Classes then branch out into topics on sustainability with a weekly problem for students to work on in groups. The Sustainability topics are usually grouped into related topics, however, there is also the freedom in the course for student interests to lead the direction of study through the selection of weekly topics for some of the sessions later in the course. The final section of the course is a return to the conceptual and theoretical approaches to Sustainability. Focusing on some of the strengths and limitations uncovered throughout the course, challenges to progress, possible solutions and revisiting our thoughts and preferred frameworks for understanding Sustainability.