2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE1113 Sustainable Development, Politics and Policy

20 creditsClass Size: 160

Module manager: Mr Damian Howells
Email: d.howells@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is mutually exclusive with

SOEE1610

Introduction to Creating Sustainable Futures

Module replaces

SOEE1112 Sustainable Development SOEE1450 Environmental Politics and Policy

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

In this module, you will address questions such as: Where have our current concerns about the environment come from? What were the origins of the concept of Sustainable Development? What are its guiding principles? What are its key aims and goals? What are some of the global challenges that need to be addressed in order to achieve the aims of Sustainable Development? What are some of the barriers we have to overcome to achieve its aims? How have environmental concerns been reflected in political debates? How have different policy actors intervened to protect the environment? How do different stakeholders influence policies?

Objectives

The aim of this module is to introduce students to questions surrounding the origins of environmental concern, the link between the environment and the political arena, and the compatibility of sustainability and global development by drawing on both theoretical and applied debates. Learning activities include lectures, seminars, essays and group work that leads to a presentation.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Understand the origins, aims and guiding principles of Sustainable Development.
2. Recognise the global challenges we need to address to achieve Sustainable Development along with the barriers that need to be overcome in order to address them.
3. Explain the interconnectedness of the various sustainability challenges we face.
4. Understand the political nature of many environmental problems
5. Understand the factors that shape the ability of different actors to exert influence within the different stages of the environmental policy process
6. Understand different types and applications of environmental policy instruments and be able to critically evaluate their performance.

Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
Academic Skills
1. The ability to weigh up different arguments and perspectives, using supporting evidence to form opinions, arguments, theories and ideas.
2. The ability to deliver effective and engaging oral and visual presentations to a variety of audiences
3. The ability to write in a clear, concise, focused and structured manner that is supported by relevant evidence.
4. The ability to use the oral, written, auditory, and visual language proficiency needed to be able to learn effectively and demonstrate understanding.
5. The ability to know when, why and how to acknowledge someone else’s work or ideas

Sustainability Skills
1. Recognises and understands relationships; analyses complex systems (environmental, economic and social systems and interdependencies across these); considers how systems are embedded within different domains and scales; deals with uncertainty; uses analytical thinking 
2. Questions norms, practices and opinions; reflects on own values, perceptions and actions; takes a position in the sustainable development discourse; applies evidence-based decision making; reframes problems

Work Ready Skills
1. The ability to build positive relationships with other people which then enables successful projects or other collaborations.

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Supervision	1	1.00	1.00
Lecture	22	2.00	44.00
Private study hours			155.00
Total Contact hours			45.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

SOEE1113 - Formative feedback provided during seminars from week 1 onwards. - Summative feedback on written assignment due at end of module.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	.	50.00
Assignment	.	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 11/10/2024 16:30:04

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD