AD2SPA: Towards Sustainability: Positive Action for a Better World

Module code: AD2SPA

Module provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Professor Julian Park, email: j.r.park@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded: IN TAKING THIS MODULE YOU CANNOT TAKE AD1GLS OR TAKE AD1SPA OR TAKE AP1A28 OR TAKE AP1A35 (Compulsory)

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 20 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This is a University-wide module, the aim of which is to better understand the sustainability challenges facing the world and to consider the positive actions that can be taken either collectively or at the individual level that aids the sustainability agenda. The module will consist of lectures, case studies, discussions and speakers from external organisations as well as a group project work.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Articulate and understand a range of perspectives on sustainability
2. Evaluate some of the key threats to global sustainability
3. Explain to others how sustainability is being addressed at a range of different levels (for instance from global through to individual)
4. Outline an individual action plan to enable more sustainable living

Module content

Topics covered will include a range of the following:

• Perspectives of sustainability
• Limits to growth, population, resources, inequity and environmental degradation
• The energy dilemma and climate change
• Land use and the environment
• International and national policies for sustainability
• Corporate and individual responsibility
• Land use and the environment
• Positive activism
• Case studies of sustainability

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module is delivered via interactive lectures, videos, group-based discussions, in-class exercises and case studies. Cases will be assigned regularly for classroom discussion. Each student will prepare these cases before the sessions. A series of in class exercises will focus on global sustainability issues and self-directed learning including debates. All students are expected to actively contribute to class discussions by answering questions, sharing examples and answering questions.

Study hours

At least 30 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

To facilitate the case study work students are required to complete short answer questions (reflective practice) at the end of each lecture.  There will be formative MCQ tests during the module for students to check their understanding of some of the basic sustainability principles.

Reassessment

Additional costs