KE7004 - Themes in Sustainable Development

You will learn through lectures, seminars, presentations, independent learning and directed tasks. The lectures will cover theories and concepts, case study material, key exemplars, and module staff’s own research. Seminars are designed to allow you to explore these issues in greater depth through group discussion, especially around academic papers and contemporary policies as suggested by tutors. Seminars provide the opportunity to “co-learn”, that is learn from each other through the exploration of ideas and issues with the support of relevant module staff. At least one seminar will involve students leading a discussion on a paper or policy document they have read. Materials, including academic papers, policy documents and grey literature, news items, and videos will be provided for independent and guided learning via the eLP. Presentations enable you to delve into an issue that interests you in greater depth while also developing your professional presentation and organisational skills.

Support from the module tutors is available for essay and presentation preparation. Additional support is available for students who have not studied in the UK before or have been out of academic studies for some time. There will be interactive discussions with staff in seminars as part of formative support/feedback in preparation for assessments but support will primarily be available via the open door policy. Teaching staff operate an ‘open door’ policy for students meaning you can approach them anytime during normal office hours, or via email, to answer questions, receive feedback and support your learning on the module.
The eLP will provide access to on-line resources including interactive reading lists.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
• MLO 1: Critically evaluate principles, practice and policies relating to sustainable development in the context of the developed and developing world
• MLO 2: Critically apply understanding of climate change and environmental change to development frameworks, concepts, and everyday realities and practices in poorer contexts.

• MLO 3: Critically review and assess the key issues in climate change, environment and sustainable development

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• MLO 4: Demonstrate advanced presentation skills in oral and written form


Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• MLO 5: Demonstrate deep cultural sensitivity and a critical appreciation of value of indigenous knowledges relative to western hegemonic knowledges and practices

Formative feedback on the tasks that are assessed through the assessments and through in-class exercises will be available to students before submission / presentation. This will allow students to iron out any challenges with writing skills, developing an argument and comprehension of key theories and concepts.

The summative assessments for this module are a 2500 word essay (70%), addressing MLOs 1, 2 and 4. This will give students an opportunity to iron out any problems with writing skills, developing an argument and comprehension of key theories and concepts. A ten minute oral presentation per student (30%) which addresses MLOs 3, 4 and 5 will help students improve their presentation skills.

Summative assessment is provided by written feedback on the essay, and verbal and written feedback on the presentation.

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Working towards and achieving sustainable development requires a core understanding of climate change and related environmental breakdowns, including their environmental, political, economic, social, and geographical aspects. You will learn how climate change and broader environmental change underpin the challenges of sustainable development, including its intersections with disaster adaptation and mitigation. You will come to understand the foundations of climate and environmental change science, their effects, and the ways in which these intersect with the challenges, aspirations and policies of sustainable development. This will be done through a focus on the Global South to learn about approaches to poverty alleviation, livelihoods, One Health, human security, natural resource management. You will examine these contemporary debates in the sustainable development sector, including concepts, interpretations and principles of sustainable development. We will look at the global institutions, conferences and landmark contributions to the climate change and sustainability debate, focusing on related policy and practice. A primary focus will be on mobilising this knowledge and building on past and contemporary examples to develop policy solutions and on-the-ground practice to further sustainable development goals in a variety of contexts, from rural to urban, Global South and Global North. This is a research/ enquiry based and research tutored module. Learning will be primarily through lectures and engaged discussions around topical themes. The assessment for the module is a ten minute presentation and a 2500 word essay.