GGM017-Sustainable Development

Module Provider: Geography
Number of credits: 10 [5ECTS credits]
Level: 7
Terms in which taught: Spring
Module Convenor: J Haselip
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2009/0

Email: j.haselip@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
This module aims to provide insights and experience in the practice (rather than theory) of sustainable development in a variety of contexts.

Assessable learning outcomes:
On completion of this module it is expected that a student will be able to:
� Appreciate the variety of meanings behind the term sustainable development and the broad approaches that have been taken to its measurement
� Understand the breadth of approaches that have been taken to �do� sustainable development in a variety of contexts (urban/rural, developed country/developing country).
� Critically appraise the relative merits and problems associated with approaches taken to gauging progress towards sustainable development
� Access and retrieve relevant information and communicate it by way of written presentations
� Define a relevant research topic and synthesise both existing work and individual thought into a coherent, logically organised and well-presented written report.

Additional outcomes:
Students will also develop their IT skills by use of relevant web resources and databases, and the use of some simple computer simulations. Will also gain some experience of role-play.

Outline content:
Outline content:
This module will set out the current debate and experience in the practical implementation of sustainable development, and in particular the use of indicators as tools for gauging progress. The focus will be upon practice rather than theory and policy, but the underlying rationale behind sustainability will be discussed.

Some of the topics covered in the module will be:
� The meaning and history of sustainable development
� Components of sustainable development, particularly examples in the fields of environment, economics, poverty assessment and human development.
� Sustainable development in practice. Some examples of sustainable development projects spanning urban/rural and developed/developing country contexts.
� The development and use of Sustainability Indicators and Indices
� Issues surrounding the �doing� of sustainability.
� Case study of sustainable development.

Please note that the unit does include some mathematics, including calculus.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures and practicals

Contact hours:

Assessment:
Students will write one essay of 4000 words; 100% of final mark.

Relative percentage of coursework : 100%

Examinations
None

Requirements for a pass: A mark of 50% overall.

Reassessment arrangements: Resubmission of coursework

Last updated: 9 December 2009