COURSE CURRICULUM

Year 1 focuses on laying a strong foundation in the social and environmental aspects of sustainable development. The compulsory modules in this year help students address critical global issues like economic poverty, gender inequality, and environmental challenges. You will gain a deeper understanding of earth systems, their limits, and how these impact socially just and environmentally sustainable development. Collaboration with real-world partners begins with guest talks and site visits, allowing students to connect theoretical learning with practical experiences. The modules will guide you through big questions such as the sustainability of industrial development, global living standards, peace and security, and cultural/social aspects of inequality. Additionally, sustainability challenges will be explored, including carbon footprints, the circular economy, and environmental justice. The aim is to build your academic skills in literature searching, referencing, essay writing, and critically evaluating information sources. Perspectives on global development will be covered, introducing students to key concepts such as human development, neo-liberalism, and de-colonisation, fostering critical analysis of the factors influencing global inequalities. Global sustainable development will also be discussed, focusing on planetary boundaries and resource systems.In Year 2, the focus shifts to finding solutions to interconnected global challenges like food security, water security, and biodiversity conservation. This year emphasizes solution-oriented learning, including individual and group-based research, problem-solving, and field-based study. You will explore sustainability through practical field experiences and research projects in collaboration with sustainability partner organisations. The compulsory modules cover rural development, examining natural resource-based livelihoods and sustainable governance, as well as the global biodiversity crisis and the need for a just transition to sustainability. The module on conservation, restoration, and environmental justice explores issues arising from insufficient action on biodiversity conservation and examines injustices linked to conservation practices. The focus is primarily on the Global South, particularly issues related to protected area conservation, food systems, and debates around 'sharing or sparing' land for biodiversity. Field visits, lectures, seminars, and project work will be part of this module.Year 3 is designed to help students further develop their expertise in sustainable development by focusing on practical experience. This year offers more flexibility to tailor your studies to personal interests and career aspirations. You will have the opportunity to design an independent dissertation project, supported by staff, on a sustainability issue of your choice. In addition, you will strengthen your critical and ethical thinking and improve teamwork skills. Practical experience is gained by working with local partner organisations, allowing you to apply your academic knowledge to real-world sustainability planning. The compulsory module, Just Transformations to Sustainability, will cover sustainability from an environmental justice perspective. This module looks at sustainability through political ecology, examining transformative processes needed for a just and sustainable future. You will explore topics such as conservation, food sovereignty, water, and the impacts of indigenous territories, with an emphasis on transitions and resistance movements. Through a combination of theory, online research, and group work, this module encourages students to reflect on how they personally engage with planetary boundaries and sustainability.