AP1A28-Global Sustainability: Challenges and Prospects

Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Please note, places on this module are restricted to students in the School of Agriculture, Policy & Development only.
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: AP1A35 Towards Sustainability: Positive Action for a Better World
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Nick Bardsley
Email: n.o.bardsley@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The world faces multiple ecological crises, including climate change, biodiversity loss and soil erosion. This module examines such challenges, their drivers, their relationship to other social and economic issues, and potential responses. 

Aims:

To introduce students to key ecological and eco-social challenges of our time, their causes, proposals to address them and associated debate across several disciplines. To enable students to trace the connections between these issues and content of other modules.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students will be able to

• outline the main features of contemporary environmental challenges.


• analyse these problems in terms of socio-economic drivers and consequences.


• summarise contrasting viewpoints on causes of sustainability problems and responses


• bring to bear insights from a range of topics and disciplines on specific issues


• articulate and justify their own perspective on key eco-social issues

Additional outcomes:

Students will develop

• skills of literature identification, evaluation and synthesis


• skills of identifying and using data to address a problem or issue

Outline content:

The autumn term will consist of 10 lectures covering key aspects of the sustainability predicament. This will include topics such as the meaning of sustainability / sustainable development, limits to growth debates, energy supply, climate change, waste, corporate social responsibility, environmental justice, and agricultural sustainability.

The spring term will consist of instructor-led student-centered workshops conducted within degree cohort areas. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The Autumn term will consist of lectures, incorporating student-centred and problem-based exercises. The Spring term will consist of student-centred workshops, with structured input from academic staff.  The case studies will take place over 4-5 weeks, giving students experience of researching a particular topic in depth. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20
Seminars		16
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		24
Wider reading (directed)	40	20
Advance preparation for classes	20
Preparation for seminars		20
Reflection	20	20
Total hours by term	100	100	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	66
Class test administered by School	34

Summative assessment- Examinations:

None

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1 multiple choice test 34%

2 case studies based on topics studied in the discipline level research areas (2x33%)

Formative assessment methods:

There is no purely formative (no marks) component. The first case-study write-up will be marked in time to provide feedback useful for the second case study write-up. 

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that 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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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:

40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of one assignment. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 16 October 2023