2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE3785 Change for Sustainable Development

20 creditsClass Size: 120

Module manager: Jonathan Busch
Email: j.busch@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module will explore theories, strategies and tools for change that could be used to push economies and societies onto sustainable development pathways. Students will work through a ‘project cycle’ process widely used in Sustainable Development projects and policy development, applied to research-based case studies from a range of global socio-environmental settings. Guided by lectures, workshops and participatory group work, students will: 1) discuss and propose solutions - visions for an ideal world, 2) consider specific strategies to help move from these problems to the solutions and 3) decide ways of measuring progress towards these goals. Alongside their case study projects, students will learn about change processes from two perspectives: Social Change – how people’s actions are shaped by social structures such as identity, social relations, physical and social infrastructure and big politics, and how these might play a part in a more sustainable future, and Organisational level tools for change – how business strategies, industry initiatives and innovation can contribute to sustainable development. This module requires students to engage intellectually with social theory, develop a deep understanding of business tools for change, and apply both to a real-world sustainable development problem. The module is assessed with a portfolio (worth 70% of the module mark) and a group presentation (worth 30% of the module mark). The portfolio is composed of a series of pieces of work that students complete individually and in groups, in seminars and in their private study time, that engage with the core theories and concepts taught on the course and their application to case studies. In the presentation students present 1) a critical evaluation of the development problem the group has been assigned to, 2) a critical reflection on the methodological process the group went through to devise a holistic vision and strategies, 3) the vision and strategies that will contribute to solving (some of) the problems within the case study.

Objectives

The aim of this module is to give students a deeper understanding of change processes for sustainable development, and practice in the use of participative methods in change governance. This is taught through having students work in groups on sustainable development case studies throughout the module, and applying theories and concepts of social and organisational change to them. Students will thus gain an understanding of three core areas of sustainable change:

(1) how social structures (e.g. identity, social relations, physical and social infrastructure, politics) shape how people act in relation to the environment,

(2) how organisational tools like standards, organisational structures and digital technology can move businesses towards sustainable development, and

(3) how participatory methods can be used for inclusive and effective sustainable change.

In applying this knowledge to a case study, students will also gain key skills required to be an effective sustainability practitioner.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will have met the following subject specific learning outcomes:

Be able to explain how theories of social change and concepts of social structures can be applied in specific situations to understand barriers to, and enabler of, sustainable behaviours.

Be able to analyse the application of organisational tools (such as digital technology, leadership strategies or standards) to aid the transition or an organisation towards sustainable development.

Develop strategies for sustainable change that take a systems-based approach and account for the complexity of a specific context.

Critically discuss how participatory processes can be used for more inclusive and effective sustainable development.



Students will also gain skills learning outcomes:

Collaborative project management; working effectively in a team to design and deliver a sustainable development strategy for a case study.

Using appropriate digital collaboration and communication tools to find and share information, and communicate project outcomes.

Think critically and in systems, understanding complex interconnections between social, environmental and economic dimensions of a problem and using evidence to evaluate different possible development strategies.

Deliver effective and engaging presentations tailored to a specific audience.

Leadership and self-management; be aware of the strengths or yourself and others, identify development needs, set goals and give constructive feedback.

Syllabus

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	4	2.00	8.00
Case Study	3	1.00	3.00
presentation	1	4.00	4.00
Lecture	5	1.00	5.00
Lecture	8	2.00	16.00
Seminar	5	1.50	7.50
Private study hours			156.50
Total Contact hours			43.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Private study (156.5h) will consist of the following:
- Preparation for Lectures, Seminars and Workshops: 22 x 4hrs = 88hrs
- Work on Assignments: 68.5hrs

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

The module is structured around Sustainable Development Case Studies that students work on in groups across both semesters. These form the basis of the portfolios that students put together, and seminar and workshop activities will be planned around them. Students will therefore receive feedback (1) informally through seminar and workshop discussions, (2) through peer feedback on materials added to their portfolios, and (3) through formative feedback provided by staff and demonstrators on elements of their portfolio.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Portfolio	Portfolio of individual and group work with assessed pieces adding up to ~4000 words	70.00
Presentation	A 15 minute (+5 minute questions or equivalent online) group presentation on a sustainable development case study	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

The assessment for this module is designed to allow students to produce a portfolio of work in which they demonstrate their understanding of theories of social and organisational change, their ability to apply their skills and knowledge to a sustainable development case study, and their ability to use and reflect on participatory methods. We use a combination of a portfolio and group presentation because it enables more authentic assessment and provides some flexibility for co-creating the assessments with students. The portfolio is expected to include pieces like: An Evidence Review of social change in a particular area (1000 words), peer reviewed (200 words) and then revised with a reflective note (300 words) An industry report that applies an organisational change tool to the sustainable development case study (1500 words) A policy briefing with recommendations based on (simulated) participatory stakeholder engagement (1000 words)

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 03/07/2024 15:53:34

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