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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Postgraduate Courses (School of GeoSciences)

Postgraduate Course: Circular Economy Principles and Practices (PGGE11262)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Geosciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryPLEASE NOTE: Auditing is not available for this course.
The circular economy (CE) is an economic model that invites businesses, cities, and countries to transform their approach to the use of materials and energy and build a framework for an economy that is restorative and regenerative by design. The ultimate goal of CE is to shift the paradigm away from over-consumption and towards greater recognition of the need for and value of resources. This course will give students a foundation to address the climate crisis and resource management from a perspective that can help businesses, communities, and governments to:
1. Maximise resource productivity
2. Keep materials, components and products circulating for as long as possible while enhancing value
3. Investigate deeper challenges to global economic development.
Both applied and theoretical approaches to the topic will be discussed.
Course description This course introduces the topic of circular economy (CE) by establishing a set of principles which explain, define and articulate the distinctive vision and approach of CE and how it differentiates from the current 'take-make-dispose' economic and business model. The course will then address the practical applications of CE to date, with case-studies, both local and international, and analyse the how and why of the progress observed has been realised. The topic will be examined from multiple perspectives including the technologies, materials, policies, behaviours, practices and theories involved in creating a circular economy, and then linked to the issues of the climate crisis.

The lectures and in-class activities/discussions will be grouped around key CE topics, including:
¿ The theories and principles behind the concept and the history of the idea
¿ Circular design & innovation
¿ Circular business models
¿ Building a circular economy strategy
¿ CE policies
¿ Social practices and transforming value
The students can expect a wide range of hands-on, interactive practice-based activities as well as lectures and talks from practitioners in the field.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Have a critical understanding of the key concepts and principles of the circular economy and its applications to different scenarios and sectors.
  2. Be able to communicate, using appropriate methods, circular economy principles to a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge/expertise.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the business and political landscapes in which a circular economy could operate.
  4. Be able to develop original and creative responses to problems and issues related to implementing a circular economy.
Reading List
Examples of core reading materials:
1. Stahel, Walter. The Circular Economy: A User¿s Guide, (2019)
2. Webster, Ken. The Circular Economy: A Wealth of Flows, 2nd Edition (2016)
3. Braungart, M. and McDonough, W. Cradle to Cradle. Remaking the Way We Make Things (2009)
4. De Angelis, R. Business Models in the Circular Economy: Concepts, Examples and Theory (2018)
5. Lacy, P. and Rutqvist, J. Waste to Wealth: The Circular Economy Advantage (2015)
6. Material Economics & Ellen McArthur Foundation. Completing the Picture: How the Circular Economy Tackles Climate Change (report) (2019)
7. ARUP. The Circular Economy in the Built Environment. 2016.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills 1. Knowledge and understanding of core concepts and debates in circular economy and its links to climate change and resource management.
2. Articulation of own values with respect to the circular economy, such as students own approach to defining and assessing circularity, value, resource management, etc.
3. Experience in applying a range of methods and analytical tools related to a circular economy.
4. Ability to communicate the theories and practices of a circular economy to engage effectively with others.
Additional Class Delivery Information The Pod, ECCI
KeywordsCircular economy,climate change,business,waste management,sustainability
Contacts
Course organiserMs Toni Freitas
Tel:
Email: Toni.Freitas@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMrs Katherine Ingram
Tel:
Email: Katherine.Ingram@ed.ac.uk
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