Download - MA Honours Sustainable Development
MA Honours
Sustainable Development
Dr Claire Haggett Degree Programme
Director
University of Edinburgh Post-Offer Visit Day 26th March 2014
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Welcome
Dr Claire Haggett, Programme Director, andLecturer in the Sociology of Sustainability
Overview1. Why this topic2. Why this degree3. Why Edinburgh
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1) Why this topic? • Key challenges of our time• Sustainable development requires an
interdisciplinary approach: what we provide here
• Degree focuses not just on environmental sustainability, but on the social, political, cultural and economic dynamics
• Interdisciplinary social science– Emphasis on social and political
understanding – and change– No science background required
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Interdisciplinary core courses
First year:• Introduction to Sustainable Development: key issues • Science and Society - Nature and Environment:
understanding the science of sustainability
Second year:• Perspectives on Sustainable Development: key topics• Sustainability, Society and Environment: key resources
Third year: Cases in Sustainable DevelopmentFourth Year: Dissertation (and research methods training)
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2) Programme structure
• Flexibility and choice1) Core courses in sustainable development
2) Additional subject area ‘pathway’• Five to chose from:
– Geography, International Relations, Politics, Social Anthropology, Sociology
– Allows students to take options from those disciplines
– Further courses, events, opportunities
3) Wide range of related outside courses– Economics, Business Studies,
Philosophy, Biological sciences, Geosciences, History, languages and so on….
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Semester One Semester Two
Year1
Introducing Sustainable Development
Introduction to Politics and International Relations
Human Geography
Science and Society
Democracy in Comparative Perspective
Morality, Rationality, and Value Year 2
Perspectives on Sustainable Development
International Cooperation
Principles of Economics
Sustainability, Society and Environment
Social & Political Enquiry
Spanish
Sustainable Development degree with Politics pathway, Year 1 and 2
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Semester One Semester Two
Year3
Designing and Doing Social Research
Environmental Politics in Europe
Sociology of the Environment & Risk
Cases in Sustainable Development
Green Political Thought
Technology, Religion & Ethics
Year4
Dissertation in Sustainable Development
Comparative Politics
Political Ecology
Dissertation in Sustainable Development
War and Justice
Social Development
Sustainable Development degree with Politics emphasis, Year 3 and 4
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Teaching and study methods
• Lectures and tutorials – especially Years 1 & 2
• Seminar-based honours courses
• Field based classes (Year 3)• Independent Research (Year 4)
– Dissertation: your choice of sustainable development topic
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Studying abroad
• Several exchanges available in 3rd year
• Erasmus exchange: (Europe)
• International exchange: Canada, US, Hong Kong, Australia (College-wide competition)
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Career ProspectsOur graduates will be particularly well
equipped to pursue careers in:
• Public sectors linked to sustainability– NGOs (environment, development)– Governmental agencies and posts
at local, national, European levelNot to worry!
• International agencies (UN, WHO, FAO, DFID) involved in development or sustainability
• Business / consultancy • Especially linked to sustainability, corporate
responsibility
• Teaching and higher education
• Very close liaison with the Careers Office• Sessions from first year onwards• Opportunities for help and support
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3) Why Edinburgh University
• Expertise• Engagement• Excellence
• Outstanding research/teaching expertise in social and natural sciences– New interdisciplinary climate centre– Global Academy for Environment and Society
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Why Edinburgh University: engagement
• University commitment to sustainability– Ambitious sustainable
development programme– Sustainability strategy:
‘Creating opportunities from global challenges’
– Green Energy award winner – Sustainability Office:
sustainability engagement
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Engagement and Extra-curricular activities
• ‘Our Changing World’• ‘Global Challenges’ events• Sustainability Awards
• Student societies and clubs– Edinburgh Ecology Society, International Development Society,
Transition Edinburgh; People and Planet; Edinburgh Global Partnerships, The Dirty Weekenders (Edinburgh University Conservation Society); Hearty Squirrel Food Cooperative...
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Sustainable Development Course nominated for EUSA Best Course Teaching Award
Award winning teaching staff
Active students engaged with sustainability issues– Sustainable Development Association– Sustainable Development student wins the EUSA Global Student Star award
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In summary…
• The degree is:– Interdisciplinary– Social science based– Flexible and based on
student interests• The University offers:
– Expertise and excellence– The opportunity to
engage– Extra curricular activities
Questions…?
www.sps.ed.ac.uk