Global Sustainable Development Project

Module leader: Dr Martin Lima

Module code: GD107

Core module |15 CATs

Terms 2 and 3 | 14 weeks

9 lectures | 10 seminars | 4 group supervisions

Guest lectures

Not available to students outside the School for Cross-faculty Studies

Moodle Platform

Principal Aims

This module requires students to engage actively in understanding the real-life application of the theories they studied in their first year modules. The problem we investigate is sustainable transport: this is obviously a broad area of study, and one that has a wealth of qualitative and quantitative data to be examined / critiqued. The module aims to provide students with opportunities to examine the Economic, Environmental and Social arguments that have been advanced in relation to the case. In this respect the module’s aim aligns with the Quality Assurance Agency’s advice that:

“Pedagogical approaches that are particularly effective in the context of education for sustainable development tend to have an authentic aspect, enabling students to relate their learning to real-life problems and situations” (June 2014).

The module also aims to strengthen the research skills of students, though a combination of assessed online activities, taught workshops, and an assessed reflective journal on the process of completing the group project. In groups led by an academic supervisor, each group of maximum 6 students will formulate one question for in-depth investigation to produce an output (the format of which can vary) and a presentation to a public forum.

Principal Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module, all students will be able to demonstrate the following abilities:

knowledge and understanding of the Economic, Social and Environmental arguments surrounding the problem of sustainable transport
to develop research questions that deconstruct problems related to sustainable transport;
to formulate hypotheses and test them using the most appropriate methods
to discriminate between different types of evidence, and to evaluate them using scientific criteria
to deploy a range of intellectual arguments to formulate a coherent and convincing critique
to undertake field research including: archival searches, conducting interviews, managing focus groups.

Employability Skills

Through this module, you will develop a number of different skills that are sought by employers which will support your professional development. We have highlighted this to enable you to identify and reflect on the skills you have acquired and apply them throughout your professional journey including during the recruitment processes whether this on an CV/application form or at an interview.

Research and Evaluation - Developed through carrying out research on a real-life project involving formulating research questions, archival searches, conducting interviews, managing focus groups as well as evaluating different types of secondary evidence to make recommendations to policy-makers and communicating them in an appropriate forum.
Collaboration: An ability to work collaboratively with others through forming and developing a group project, with strong interpersonal and team-related skills centred on the ability to source, evaluate, share and utilise content using information technologies.
Self-Awareness - Identifying your contribution and critically analysing your limitations as well as areas for improvement through peer reviews and reflective journals.

Assessment

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 this page.