THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2021/2022

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

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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 explores sustainability and social responsibility through a holistic multidisciplinary approach. A range of political, social, scientific, and environmental perspectives will be examined, critiqued and considered in relationship to the current global challenges or ¿wicked¿ problems facing humanity. This online course will include reflection, group working and discussion.
Course description During this course a range of topics will be covered including, for example: environmental systems, interdisciplinarity, systems thinking, values into action, complexity, and wicked problems.
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 2021/22, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  10
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:
Weekly blog posts (individual task) (20%) (Addresses LO1, LO2. LO3)

Task 2:
Interdisciplinary group project (small group task) (40%)
(Addresses LO3, LO4, LO5)

Task 3:
Written Assignment (individual) (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 8-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 before the next assignment is due for submission.
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 is one core text:
Scott, W. & Vare, P. (2018) The World We'll Leave Behind. (available as an ebook)
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 Rose Whitty
Tel: (0131 6)51 6265
Email: Rose.Whitty@ed.ac.uk
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