THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2020/2021

Information in the Degree Programme Tables may still be subject to change in response to Covid-19

University Homepage
DRPS Homepage
DRPS Search
DRPS Contact
DRPS : Course Catalogue : Moray House School of Education and Sport : Education

Postgraduate Course: Sustainability and Social Responsibility (PG) (EDUA11424)

Course Outline
SchoolMoray House School of Education and Sport CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate)
Course typeOnline Distance Learning AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course, designed and taught by the schools of GeoSciences and Education with support from colleagues across the University, explores the concepts of sustainability and social responsibility through a multidisciplinary approach, examining them from a scientific, social, economic, political and artistic viewpoint. The course investigates the relationship between planetary boundaries, resource consumption and social development, and explores the range of interdisciplinary approaches to address these global challenges. It also covers 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 None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2020/21, 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) Task 1:
Individual Task
Footprinting assignment (20%) (Addresses LO1, LO2. LO3)

Task 2:
Interdisciplinary Group Project (40%)
Presented online
(Addresses LO3, LO4, LO5)

Task 3:
Individual Written Assignment (max. 1500 words) Reflecting on the course material and the three-stage assessment process consider how your individual knowledge and understanding of sustainability and social responsibility has developed during the 11-week course. Development could relate to challenges and troubling moments, aspects of intellectual growth and clarity of thought or, perhaps, consolidation and affirmation of previous knowledge. This is a reflective piece which should 1) present your understandings of the key aspects of theoretical and conceptual knowledge as discussed during the course, and 2) discuss why you believe sustainability is important within your discipline.
Submissions will be assessed using the Postgraduate Common Marking Scheme (40%) (Addresses LO1, 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:
  1. Understand and critically analyse the concepts of sustainability and social responsibility and the role of interdisciplinary approaches in solving pressing global challenges.
  2. Critically evaluate common sustainability metrics, interpreting their relative merits and weaknesses.
  3. Apply knowledge and understanding of sustainability measures in practice to critically evaluate and analyse their own behaviours.
  4. Understand, analyse and reflect upon issues related to sustainability and social responsibility, and the importance of adapting approaches to suit specific contexts and communities.
  5. Critically evaluate conventional approaches to resource consumption, and analyse how personal values and societal systems can act as drivers for transformative change towards new approaches.
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, engage with and address social responsibility and sustainability issues and related ethical dilemmas, applying their own/organisational values to situations and choices.
seek personal and academic learning in order to contribute positively, ethically and respectfully to the world around them.
demonstrate a critical and discerning understanding of theories of sustainability and social responsibility in relation to an increasingly complex and uncertain planetary future.
undertake critical analysis, evaluation and/or synthesis of information, ideas, concepts, and issues within sustainability and social responsibility.
use skills associated with conveying complex information, analysis and argument through [group] presentation and written work to develop reasoned perspectives, effective communication, and to engage and communicate with audiences creatively.
KeywordsSustainability,Social Responsibility,Natural Resources,Sustainable Development,Interdisciplinar
Contacts
Course organiserDr Beth Christie
Tel: (0131 6)51 6031
Email: beth.christie@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Hanna Albrecht
Tel: (0131 6)51 6012
Email: Hanna.Albrecht@ed.ac.uk
Navigation
Help & Information
Home
Introduction
Glossary
Search DPTs and Courses
Regulations
Regulations
Degree Programmes
Introduction
Browse DPTs
Courses
Introduction
Humanities and Social Science
Science and Engineering
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Other Information
Combined Course Timetable
Prospectuses
Important Information