Module Information

Module Identifier
BDM2015
Module Title
Introduction to Sustainability and Adaptation
Academic Year
2024/2025
Co-ordinator
Semester
Distance Learning
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Critical Review  3000 Words  100%
Supplementary Assessment Critical Review  3000 Words  100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Synthesise and demonstrate knowledge in relation to current environmental change and range of responses.

Demonstrate an understanding of important interactions, co-impacts and co-benefits in responding to environmental change.

Access and analyse appropriate scientific and academic material

Demonstrate critical thinking.

Effectively communicate to both peers and a wider audience

Brief description

This module will comprise a series of lectures and practical activities covering a broad range of sustainability topics and group work seminars whereby students work together to develop adaption solutions to climate and environmental change scenarios. The module will be available either through distance learning or as a residential learning experience at the Centre for Alternative Technology. Distance learners will have access to the same lectures as in person participants and take part in interactive online seminars.

Aims

Contextualize society responses to environmental change
Establish the overarching concepts and theoretical grounding in sustainability, resilience and transformational adaptation needed for the programme of study.
Establish baseline study skills competence and scientific/social science literacy.
Appreciate the implications of sustainable provision and security of services such as homes, water, energy, food and transport.

Content

Greenhouse gas impacts and options
Mitigation and adaptation needed to respond to environmental change and weather extremes
Sustainability issues relating to both consumption and the provision of services such as housing, food and energy.
Fundamentals of social and economic transformation models including non-growth economics, behaviour and systemic change.
Interrelationships of climate mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity, equity, wellbeing and prosperity.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Critical and analytical thinking Develop and sustain arguments in a variety of written and numerical forms, formulating appropriate questions and using primary and secondary evidence
Digital capability Make effective use of communication and IT to gather and use evidence and data to find, retrieve, organise and exchange new information
Professional communication Communicate effectively in written and oral forms to a wider audience
Real world sense Synthesise a clear understanding of the various attitudinal, legal, institutional and ethical considerations and developments associated with sustainability and adaptation in an area of practice
Subject Specific Skills Present a sophisticated and integrative appreciation of the influence that technical, engineering, legal, political, social and cultural perspectives can have on the functioning of ecosystems and the management of natural resources

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7