University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 20

ECTS credits : 10

Level : SCQF level 8

Semester: 2

Planned timetable: 1pm-2pm Tues, Wed, Thurs Tutorials to be confirmed.

In this dynamic, core SD module we develop student appreciation of the diverse ways that natures are known, protected and changed. It will provide students with the skills to: (1) critically engage with histories and contemporary uses, languages, and concepts of nature and sustainable development; (2) critically reflect on our relationship to nature, as a basis for formulating strategies for action; (3) understand the fundamental, long-term functioning of coupled human and environmental systems, and the implications for sustainability; and (4) practice interdisciplinarity, synthesising different forms of knowledge for sustainability or exploring their apparent contradictions. The course brings together both the natural and social sciences. It explores the roles of people, politics and policies, and the nature of change that is required to meet contemporary challenges.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass SD2005 or pass SD2001

Anti-requisite(s): You cannot take this module if you pass SD2002 or take SD2002

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 3 Lectures (x10 weeks) 1 Tutorials (x4 weeks) 1x self guided field visit (2hours) 1x practical (1 week)

Scheduled learning hours: 37

Guided independent study hours: 160

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: 50% Coursework 50% Written Examination


Re-assessment: 100% written examination

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr T A Stojanovic
Module teaching staff: Dr Timothy Stojanovic; Dr Jessica Hope; Dr Rehema White; and Dr Althea Davies
Module coordinator email tas21@st-andrews.ac.uk

Intended learning outcomes

• • Appreciate a diversity of understandings of sustainability and evaluate different claims to sustainability;
• • Communicate sustainability to a variety of audiences;
• • Understand a range of sustainability approaches from natural and social sciences (including fields such as political ecology, long-term ecology, and environmental governance) and the insights they provide on specific sustainability issues in marine environments, coastal areas and terrestrial ecosystems;
• • Be aware of various forms and methods of knowledge production in enhancing our understanding of complex issues, and apply approaches to synthesise, integrate or cross fertilize different sets of evidence;
• • Critically review key SD concepts such as environmental justice, resilience, wellbeing, and participation, and conceive or envision how these could inform practical measures or community efforts to bring about sustainability change.