RE1SPGW-Sustainability and Prosperity in a Globalising World

Module Provider: Real Estate and Planning
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2018/9

Email: r.j.nunes@henley.reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module offers an opportunity meet and work with students from other programmes of study across the University. This module is team taught by faculty members of the School of Real Estate and Planning, School of Human and Environmental Sciences, and School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, and includes at least two guest speakers. This interdisciplinary, interdepartmental module introduces students to several environmental issues whilst equipping them with the wherewithal to critically identify both the causes of environmental concern, as well as the proactive methods and mechanisms sought to address these issues and concerns.

Aims:

This module is structured on a series of lectures and debates that are thematically designed to introduce students to key aspects of the built and natural environment. In particular, it examines the nature, role and contemporary relevance of sustainable development, with an emphasis on the conservation and management of natural resources and environmental assets for the benefit of present and future generations. It provides students with an introduction to the concept and practice of sustainable development as it relates to key areas of public interest, and strategic and local planning concern.

Assessable learning outcomes:

• To compare local and international approaches to sustainability and to be able to identify both the causes of concern, and the proactive methods and mechanisms needed to address them;

• To understand and develop a critical awareness of key sustainability issues, and the ethical and practical dilemmas they pose locally and globally

• To outline the opportunities and constraints associated with implementing policies for sustainable outcomes in urban, peri-urban as well as rural environments;

• To understand the interactions between socio-cultural diversity and policies to intervene in (peri-) urban and rural environments; and

• To be aware of, and sensitive to diverse needs and circumstances within (peri-) urban and rural environments.

Additional outcomes:

• To develop the skills necessary to exploit a wide variety of supplementary sources of information (academic books and journals, media and consultancy reports and government documents and electronic sources) in order to understand key sustainability issues and methods presented in lectures and debates; and

• To develop written and presentation skills.

Outline content:

Content is re-examined each year in light of current topical issues. Broad thematic lines of inquiry include land and food, energy, waste, mobility/accessibility, climate change, limits to grow, and planning for resilience.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module is delivered using illustrated lectures, workshops and seminars.

Summative assessment- Examinations:
None

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

• Group in-class debate poster/presentation (Autumn-Spring/20%) – debate teams allocated – Week 2

• 1000 word individual evidence-informed position statement (Autumn/15%) – Week 15

• 1000 word individual evidence-informed position statement (Spring/15%) – Week 30

• 2,500 word individual essay (Summer/50%) – Week 35

Formative assessment methods:

In-class debates and discussion

Penalties for late submission:

The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late, in accordance with the University policy.

Where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for the piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

Where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of at least 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

The group debate/debate poster will be reassessed by a method different from the original assignment. However individual position statements and the individual essay will be reassessed by the same method, subject to variation by the Examination Board where appropriate.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 20 September 2018