THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2017/2018

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Ecological Science

Undergraduate Course: Sustainability and Social Responsibility (online) (ECSC08009)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Geosciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate)
Course typeOnline Distance Learning AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis 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
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements Guidance for student: Students can take a maximum of 40 credits Level 7 language courses in 1st AND 2nd year (combined)
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  100
Course Start Semester 2
Course Start Date 15/01/2018
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Online Activities 20, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 176 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Coursework 100%
- Footprinting assignment (consisting of a maximum of 2 pages) - allocated in week 5 (12th Feb 2018), submitted in week6 (midday 2nd March 2018) (30%)

- Interdisciplinary Group Project - Circular Economy product design - presented as an online poster/pinboard, allocated in week 7 (7th March 2018), submitted in week 10 (midday 28th March 2018) (40%)

- Reflective video pitch (consisting of a 3-minute video/presentation on why sustainability is important within their specific discipline) allocated in week 11 (2nd April 2018), submitted in week 13 (midday 30th April 2018) (30%)
Feedback Examples of feedback can be found here: http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/geosciences/teaching-organisation/staff/feedback-and-marking
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Understand the concepts of sustainability and social responsibility and the role of interdisciplinary approaches in solving pressing global challenges.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration and enhance their personal learning experience through the use of an online learning environment.
Reading List
Middleton, N. (2013). Global casino: An introduction to environmental issues.

Reay, D. (2006). Climate Change Begins at Home: Life on the Two-Way Street of Global Warming.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
Additional Class Delivery Information Independent, self-paced study through topic content with weekly discussion boards and online tutorial sessions.
KeywordsSustainability,Social Responsibility,Natural Resources,Sustainable Development
Contacts
Course organiserDr David Reay
Tel: (0131 6)50 7722
Email: David.Reay@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Eilein Fraser
Tel: (0131 6)50 5430
Email: Eilein.Fraser@ed.ac.uk
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