Undergraduate Course: Sustainability and Social Responsibilities (EDUA08115)
Course Outline
| School | Moray House School of Education and Sport |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
| Course type | Online Distance Learning |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course explores the concepts of sustainability and social responsibility through a multidisciplinary approach, examining them from a scientific, social, economic, political and artistic viewpoint. This course will investigate the relationship between planetary boundaries, resource consumption and social development, and explore the range of interdisciplinary approaches to address these global challenges. It will also cover the topics of sustainability metrics, personal contributions and sustainable lifestyles, as well as providing an introduction to strategies for stakeholder engagement and communication/education. |
| Course description |
Weeks 1-2: Introduction
Weeks 2-5: Planetary boundaries
Week 6: Measuring sustainability
Weeks 7-9: Shaping solutions
Weeks 10-11: Tackling the issues
Week 11: Moving forward
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2019/20, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Quota: 100 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Online Activities 48,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
148 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Coursework 100%
- Footprinting assignment, 1,500 words (30%) (Addresses LO1, LO2)
- Interdisciplinary Group Project - Circular Economy product design - presented as an online poster/pinboard (40%) (Addresses LO3, LO4, LO5)
- Reflective video pitch (consisting of a 3-minute video/presentation on why sustainability is important within their specific discipline) (30%) (Addresses LO4, LO5) |
| Feedback |
The assignments are discussed with students in the on-line Collaborate tutorials, both before and after the assignment due date. Students are provided with formative guidance on each, and the first assignment has a built-in feedback loop where the students learn from and then are able to adjust parameters to calculate and review their ¿footprint¿. The three tasks also build sequentially on each previous assessment., and feedback is provided on each before the next assignment is due for submission. Additional multiple-choice tests (formative) embedded in the on-line materials give students an indication of their knowledge and understanding. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Understand the concepts of sustainability and social responsibility and the role of interdisciplinary approaches in solving pressing global challenges.
- Utilise common metrics used in sustainability to critically evaluate and reflect on their personal contribution, understanding their relative merits and weaknesses, to make well-informed lifestyle choices to affect positive change.
- Engage and communicate effectively on issues related to sustainability and social responsibility, whilst understanding the importance of adapting approaches to suit the context and community.
- Critically evaluate conventional approaches to resource consumption, and reflect on how personal values and societal systems can act as drivers for transformative change towards new approaches.
- Facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration and enhance their personal learning experience through the use of an online learning environment.
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Reading List
There are extensive readings and resources built into the on-line course as both core materials and extensions.
There are two core texts:
Middleton, N. (2018). The Global Casino: An Introduction to Environmental Issues. Routledge.
Reay, D. (2005). Climate change begins at home. Palgrave Science. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
On completion of the course students will be able to:
- recognise and address ethical dilemmas, social responsibility and sustainability issues, applying ethical and their own/organisational values to situations and choices
- demonstrate a discerning understanding of theories of sustainability and social responsibility.
- undertake critical analysis, evaluation and/or synthesis of ideas, concepts, information and issues within sustainability and social responsibility.
- use skills associated with conveying complex information, analysis and argument through [group presentation] and written work. |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
Independent, self-paced study through topic content with weekly discussion boards and online tutorial sessions. |
| Keywords | Sustainability,Social Responsibility,Natural Resources,Sustainable Development,Interdisciplinary |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Pete Higgins
Tel: (0131 6)50 9796
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Delia Ioana Georgescu
Tel: (0131 6)51 6012
Email: |
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