Sustainable development
Prohibited Combinations
You may not take this module if you have previously passed:
Core Issues in Geography (GEO6GI)
Module Description
The aim of this module is to provide you with a critical background in the environmental and socio-cultural issues associated with sustainable development. The module focuses on countries in the developing world, where access to cutting edge modern technology is inhibited by cost.
In these situations, ‘low tech’ green solutions are increasingly important for self-sufficiency, and we will explore the practicality and efficiency of such technologies for achieving sustainability in water security and sanitation, food security and agriculture, and the generation of energy.
In doing so, we gain a broad understanding of how global environmental problems, and global health challenges, can be tackled by adopting appropriate sustainable technologies and by delivering multiple ecosystem services.
Location/Method of Study
Stirling/On Campus, UK
Stirling
Module Objectives
The module will focus on countries in the Developing World, where gender inequality, poverty & weak infrastructure is exacerbated by limited access to cutting edge modern technology. The topics we cover include: Sustainable development (How do we monitor progress in global international development?); Household air pollution (Energy access, impacts of solid fuel use and gradual vs. leapfrog solutions); Slums (Poverty, governance and slum upgrading); Agriculture (Food security and the value of ‘participatory research’; The C footprint versus economic sustainability of food export: testing the assertion that ‘local food’ is best); Green energy and biofuels (Biochar – climate change, carbon trading and the impact of ‘land grabbing’); Geographies of health (the spatial dimensions of communicable and non-communicable disease); Ebola and zoonoses (Disease of poverty, dysfunctional health systems and distrust); Water security, sanitation and sustainable disease control; Sustainable rural livelihoods (Livelihood strategies, vulnerability and the DFID Sustainable Livelihoods Framework).
Additional Costs
There are no additional costs associated with this Module.
Core Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you should be able to:
critically assess the role of environmental sustainability strategies in the developing world;
critically evaluate the views and opinions about GM technology from a range of different stakeholders;
produce a well-balanced, but critical, report assessing wider global issues.
Introductory Reading and Preparatory Work
It is expected that students will familiarise themselves with the primary scientific literature, and the course will be taught mainly through the use of peer-reviewed journal material and online resources. Extensive web-links will be given and papers, reports and other resources made available on Succeed.
Some useful texts for background reading:
Blewitt, John (2015) "Understanding sustainable development" Second edition. ISBN: 9780415707824 (Paper); 041570782X (Paper); Publisher: Routledge
Gatrell, Anthony C. (2015). "Geographies of health: an introduction" Third edition. ISBN: 9781118274866 (e-book). Publisher: Wiley Blackwell
Baker, Susan (2015). "Sustainable development" Second edition. ISBN: 9780415522922 (Paper); 0415522927 (Paper). Publisher: Routledge
Delivery
Directed Study 32 hours Large group presentation or talk on a particular topic
Directed Study 168 hours Preparation for scheduled sessions, follow up work, wider reading and practice, completion of assessment tasks, revision, accessing webinars and other materials available on demand
Total Study Time 200 hours
Attendance Requirements
Please refer to the BES Module Statement
Assessment
% of final
grade Learning
Outcomes
Coursework 10 2
Coursework 50 1,3
Exam (Canvas - off campus) 40 1
Coursework: 60%
Examination: 40%
More information at: https://portal.stir.ac.uk/calendar/calendar.jsp?modCode=GEOU6GI&_gl=1*1kfdhyb*_ga*MTY1OTcwNzEyMS4xNjkyMDM2NjY3*_ga_ENJQ0W7S1M*MTY5MjAzNjY2Ny4xLjEuMTY5MjAzODM0Mi4wLjAuMA..
Presential
TRUE
Sustainable development
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HaDEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. The statements made herein do not necessarily have the consent or agreement of the ASTRAIOS Consortium. These represent the opinion and findings of the author(s).
