ES1S200 - The Sustainable Society 01 Jul 2022 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: ES1S200
Module Title: The Sustainable Society
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Applied Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Earth and Environment
Module Leader: Thomas Lambourne
Module Team: Jonathan Duckett
First Intended Intake: SEP 2027 Final Year of Intake: 2027
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100408 - environmental geography 101510 - environmentalism
HECOS Code Weighting: 50 50

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Jul 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

To explore the social, spatial and political aspects of sustainable development.

To identify social and spatial behaviours, attitudes and practices that influence sustainable lifestyles

In engaging with the module appropriately, students will fully achieve level-appropriate Behaviour Domains of the following USW Graduate Attributes:

Commercial Awareness - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Communication - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Leadership - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Innovation and Enterprise - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Project Management - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Digital Literacy - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

The Capabilities associated with these behaviours are found in the Graduate Attributes table at the end of the descriptor

Content Summary

The module conceptualises sustainable development and identifies challenges of integrating environmental, social and economic interests. This will be exemplified from the global to the local, through an appraisal of scale and development.

The module will explore sustainability as a goal, and the practices and behaviours needed to achieve it. It will examine everyday lifestyles, attitudes and behaviours, within a social and spatial context, and the mitigations and actions needed for delivering a sustainable society.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 24
Seminar 16
Practical classes and workshops 2
Fieldwork 6
Independent Study 152
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 To demonstrate a comprehension of the key definitions, political ideologies and actors that are central to sustainable development.
LO2 To be aware of the practices of sustainable development in everyday life.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Onsite Practical Assessment Production (Onsite) 1 Eco-documentary 15 N/A 50 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Assessment (Exam) Onsite Open Book Examination 1 n/a 120 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Production (Onsite) 1
Onsite Open Book Examination 1

Reading List

Atkinson, G., Dietz, S., Neumayer, E. & Agarwala, M. eds., 2014. Handbook of Sustainable Development. 2nd ed. Cheltenham: Elgar.

Blewitt, J., 2018. Understanding Sustainable Development. 3rd ed. Abingdon: Routledge.

Chapple, K., 2015. Planning Sustainable Cities and Regions: Towards more equitable development. Abingdon: Routledge.

Darchen, S. & Searle, G. eds., 2019. Global Planning Innovations for Urban Sustainability. London: Routledge.

French, D. & Kotzé. eds., 2018. Sustainable Development Goals: Law, theory and implementation. Cheltenham: Elgar.

Purvis, M. & Grainger, A., 2013. Exploring Sustainable Development: Geographical perspectives. London: Routledge.

Whitehead, M., 2007. Spaces of Sustainability: Geographical perspectives on the sustainable society. London: Routledge.