BUS2038 : Introduction to Sustainability - Theory and Practice
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Jenny Davidson
- Owning School: Newcastle University Business School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
- Capacity limit: 60 student places
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The aim of this module is to enable students to develop their knowledge and understanding of sustainability, and to contextualise this knowledge at an individual, organisation and global level. The module will provide students with the opportunity to enhance their skills of contextualising and making sense of big global challenges. By the end of the module, students will have:
- A strategic view of identifying and analysing global sustainability challenges
- Explored how these challenges have been tackled through civil society, business and governments
- Recognised the role of collaboration in tackling global challenges, including cross-sectoral, intra and intergenerational, and emerging tools, techniques and processes for delivery.
This module provides the opportunity for students to apply their learning by working alongside, and collaborating with, organisations from a range of sectors. Students will work on a live project, to explore and apply approaches to tackling sustainability challenges.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module combines online learning and lectures with interactive workshops. Core teaching is delivered via lectures and online. Workshops are used to explore and evaluate the core syllabus and use social learning practices to support learning.
Syllabus will include:
- Introduction to sustainability and sustainable development
- Identifying, prioritising and exploring global sustainability challenges
- Responses to these challenges from civil society, business, government
- Intra and inter-generational perspectives
- Materiality
- Interconnectivity
- Systems thinking
- The role of the individual in social transformations for a more sustainable future
- The role of collaboration and trans-disciplinary working for a more sustainable future
- The role of organisations in shaping sustainable production and consumption practices
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 60 | 1:00 | 60:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | N/A |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 8 | 2:00 | 16:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 67 | 1:00 | 67:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Scheduled on-line contact time | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The processes of teaching and learning, within this blended learning module, include but are not limited to the following: Face-to-face and online opportunities to acquire knowledge and understanding of theory are provided through attending lectures, listening to and watching podcasts and/or videos, reading and research, and reflective learning. Learning through dialogue, discussion and collaboration, in face-to-face teaching and online, enables students to articulate, respond to and provide feedback on theory, knowledge and practice application, and to question and challenge their own knowledge and practices. Collaborative social learning, online and in the classroom, is a hallmark of the module and will involve peer learning, co-production of knowledge, ideas, and feedback.
Students are expected to enhance their face-to-face and online learning by independent reading and enquiry, for which they are given guidance on relevant materials.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | M | 100 | A reflective essay of 3000 words |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | M | 500-word reflective writing |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Formative Feedback
Formative feedback is provided throughout the module by encouraging students to respond to questions and engage in reflection, dialogue, debate and discussion in online and face-to-face contexts. In addition, a 500-word reflective writing piece is set mid-way through the semester.
Summative Feedback
The module assessment enables learners to achieve the learning outcomes and to consolidate their learning by articulating the core skills and knowledge outcomes in relation to Sustainability.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- BUS2038's Timetable