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Modules

Explore our Global Sustainable Development modules

You will find further information about all the core and optional modules available to you as a Global Sustainable Development (GSD) student below.

Alongside modules, we also offer a range of co-curricular certificates to help develop skills which have been identified by employers as being vital for success in the workplace.

Year one

First-year core modules

In the first year, core modules will provide a critical understanding of the ‘three pillars of sustainable development’. In addition, the core Global Sustainable Development Project module will give you the chance to see how the principles of GSD apply to a real case affecting a local community. These modules are for all GSD students (single and joint honours):

Title
Convenor
CATS
Term
Economic Principles of Global Sustainable Development  Dr Maria Gavris 15 One
Environmental Principles of Global Sustainable Development  Dr Katie Reeves & Dr Edwin Leung 15 Two

Social Principles of Global Sustainable Development 

Dr Edward Loveman 15 One
Global Sustainable Development Project Dr Martin Lima 15 Two

First-year optional modules

Your remaining workload will consist of approved optional modules with a GSD focus from within or outside the School for Cross-faculty Studies.

Title
Convenor
CATS
Term

Interdisciplinary Approaches to Global Sustainable DevelopmentLink opens in a new window

Dr Elizabeth Chant & Dr Katie Reeves

15

One

Sustainable Development: Past, Present, Futures Dr Romain Chenet &

Dr Edwin Leung

15 One

Living with Water

Dr Jonathan Clarke

15

Two

Three Pillars of Global Sustainable Development (External students only. Not available to GSD, Liberal Arts, or Design students)

Dr Romain Chenet

15 Two

First-year single honours GSD students may be interested in studying the following Liberal Arts and Design Studies modules:

Title
Convenor
CATS
Term
Design in ContextLink opens in a new window  Dr Jane Webb 15 One
Introduction to Design PracticeLink opens in a new window Dr James MacKrill 15 One
Service Design with UX for Social ImpactLink opens in a new window Dr James MacKrill 15 Two
Visual Practice and CuriosityLink opens in a new window Dr Edward Loveman 15 Two
Qualitative Methods for Undergraduate ResearchLink opens in a new window Dr Kim Lockwood-Clough 15 One
Quantitative Methods for Undergraduate Research Dr Lauren Bird 15 Two

Year two

The second year will consist of 50% optional core modules and 50% optional modules. You may also choose to study abroad for part of your second year at either Monash University or Universitat Pompeu Fabra (single honour students only).

Second-year optional core modules

  • If you are not studying abroad, you must take the optional core modules as a 30 CATS, year-long variant.
  • If you are studying abroad in terms 2 and 3, you must choose optional core modules as a 15 CATS, Term One variant.
  • These modules can also be taken as optional modules (second-year students only), either as a 15 or 30 CATS variant.
Title
Convenor
CATS
Term
Health and Sustainable Development Dr Camilla Audia 15 or 30 One and/or Two
Inequalities and Sustainable Development: Inclusion and Dignity for All

Dr Marta Guerriero & Dr Martin Lima

15 or 30 One and/or Two
Security, Sovereignty, and Sustainability in the Global Food System Dr Wes Lin & Dr Edwin Leung 15 or 30 One and/or Two

Honours level optional modules

  • GSD students: These optional modules are available for GSD students in their second or final year (*except where indicated otherwise).
  • External students: all our modules are full for 24-25 and no more spaces will be made available.

Study abroad (part-year)

Studying abroad in your second year

During Term One at Warwick you will study 50% of the workload outlined above. In terms Two and Three at either Monash University or Universitat Pompeu Fabra (single honour students only), you will study modules with an approved sustainability focus. These modules will be pre-approved by the GSD Department and will be subject to the approval of your Warwick personal tutor.

Title
Convenor
CATS
Terms
Study Abroad (Part Year)

Dr Elizabeth Chant

60 Two and Three

Final year

Final-year core module

In the final year you will take the core Dissertation module. You will also study optional modules from within the GSD Department and optional modules with a GSD focus from within or outside the School for Cross-faculty Studies.

Title
Convenor
CATS
Term
GSD Dissertation/Long Project Dr Feng Mao 30 One and Two

Modules only available to students based outside of the School for Cross-faculty Studies

Title
Convenor
CATS
Term
Achieving Sustainability: Potentials and Barriers
(Module Full)

Dr Edwin Leung

15 One
Achieving Sustainability: Potentials and BarriersLink opens in a new window
Module offered through the Alliance Intensive Study ProgrammeLink opens in a new window

Ayten Alibaba 15 Three

Co-curricular certificates

We offer a range of unique certificates outside of the curriculum as a way of continuing your professional development.

In the first year, you can complete certificates in Carbon Literacy, Digital Literacy, Sustainability ​Consultancy (Auditing), and Professional Communication.

GSD students engaged in a lecture at the University of Warwick, attentively listening to the lecturer.

Please note: Module availability and staffing may change year on year depending on availability and other operational factors. The School for Cross-faculty Studies makes no guarantee that any modules will be offered in a particular year, or that they will necessarily be taught by the staff listed on these pages.