COURSE CURRICULUM

The foundation year of the Sustainable Development and Social Science degree provides students with a strong starting point to understand how people live, work, and interact within communities. It introduces key sociological concepts such as identity, place, social memory, and migration, helping students build awareness of both local and global issues. Through modules like Exploring Communities as Social Scientists and Researching Changing Communities, students engage with real-world environments using academic and policy-based research tools. They also develop core academic and research skills that will support them throughout their degree and into their professional lives. The module Reimagining the Work of a Social Scientist encourages students to explore how social science applies to real-world professional settings. Students participate in group activities, external visits, and hear from guest speakers who work in fields related to social justice, policy, and community work. As the degree progresses, modules in the first year like Becoming an Activist and Introduction to Sustainable Development guide students through contemporary global debates, equipping them with the analytical and critical thinking skills needed to engage with complex issues such as climate change, inequality, and economic crisis. In the second year, the focus shifts to more applied knowledge, including modules on fundraising, research methods, and social enterprise. Modules such as Environmental Justice and Space, Bodies and Power help students link global challenges to questions of fairness, representation, and human rights. In the final year, students take part in a work placement, where they gain practical experience and reflect on their learning. The degree concludes with an independent research project, allowing students to explore a topic of personal interest within the field. Overall, this program combines theory, practice, and real-world engagement to prepare graduates for careers in sustainable development, NGOs, policy work, or further academic study.