PIR-30097: Environment and Sustainability Case Study

This module aims to give students the opportunity to participate actively in a piece of group work that requires them to identify and analyse, using multiple methods and disciplinary approaches, the environmental implications of a specific $ùcase&© (historical or current). The aim is that the case study will involve inter- and multi-disciplinary approaches (i.e., drawing on tools and methods from the social and natural sciences) and give students the opportunity to learn how interdisciplinary research teams and environmental consulting firms work in practice. Likely case study topics include natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, tsunamis, epidemics, famines) and proposed infrastructure developments (e.g., airport runways, nuclear power stations).

In addition to requiring students to put the appropriate intellectual and analytical skills into practice, the module also aims to enable the acquisition and development of a range of transferable skills, including: team leadership and management, working as part of a team (i.e., maintaining an appropriate division of labour and engaging in productive group deliberation and decision making), collecting and evaluating evidence, formulating effective arguments/ judgements, collaborative report writing, basic website design, and effectively communicating ideas to lay and specialist audiences.

Intended Learning Outcomes

work as a team member and make individual contributions to team process and products (presentation and report) will be achieved by assessments: 2,3
carry out an in depth, interdisciplinary sustainability analysis of a specific case, using well-defined tools, as part of team and in a timely fashion. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2,3
synthesise research and communicate the results of an analysis in different forms (written and graphic) to different audiences (lay-people and specialists). will be achieved by assessments: 2,3
identify and explain the main models, methods and criteria for carrying out a sustainability analysis will be achieved by assessments: 1
reflect on and critically evaluate a team project, including the quality of the process and final products and the quality of one's own contributions to the team. will be achieved by assessments: 4
apply key theoretical concepts and ethical principles in the field of sustainability in order to analyse critically a complex 'real life' case or problem will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3
plan and carry out a piece of collaborative research will be achieved by assessments: 2,3

Study hours

Scheduled L&T hours (40):
Workshops/taught sessions = 14
Team meetings with supervision = 26

Independent study hours (20):
Sustainability analysis paper research and writing = 20

Group study hours (90):
Project plan = 30
Presentation preparation = 10
Report research and writing = 50

Total = 150

Description of Module Assessment

01: Research Proposal weighted 20%

Plan for group case study project
Students will produce collectively a document that includes a brief description of the topic, an overview of the main issues to be explored, a mind-map which indicates the interdisciplinary approach to the topic, an annotated bibliography, and a work plan (with deadlines) for team members.

02: Group Project weighted 20%

Website
Teams will design a website to communicate the results of their case study research to a lay audience.

03: Group Report weighted 50%

Case study report
Teams will produce a 3,000 word analysis of the case study. The format should resemble a report written by a consultant, with executive summary and key recommendations/findings relevant to environment and sustainability. Reports will be posted on the team website.

04: Reflective Analysis weighted 10%

Self and team evaluation
Each student will write a two-page evaluation of their own contribution to the case study project, of how the team worked together to accomplish the task, and reflect critically on the quality of the two final products (website and report). This will be used to inform the indvidual students' final mark and ensure fairness between group and individual marks.

Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Oct/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.