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GEG-10019 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

GEG-10019 - Sustainable Staffordshire
Coordinator: Clare Holdsworth Tel: +44 1782 7 33167
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

none

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

In this module you will explore sustainability within Staffordshire (Keele’s local area). Topics include environmental issues, renewable energy, and community-led conservation efforts. You will examine regional case studies, engage with local sustainability initiatives and learn about these activities build on Staffordshire's rich geology, geography and history. Through interactive learning on and off campus, you will develop your knowledge of sustainability practices and identify strategies to enhance Staffordshire's ecological resilience and community well-being, and how these can be implemented beyond Staffordshire.

Aims
This module explores the principles of sustainability with a focus on the county of Staffordshire. Students will analyze environmental, economic, and social challenges faced by the region and local efforts toward sustainable development. Students will investigate sustainable practices, local policies, and initiatives that aim to create a more resilient and environmentally-friendly Staffordshire. Students will also analyze how the county's history, geology and geography are relevant for its sustainable future.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Explain the core principles of sustainability and their relevance to Staffordshire's environmental, geological, social, and economic contexts.: 1,2
Evaluate local sustainability policies and practices implemented by regional authorities, businesses, and community groups.: 1
Identify key challenges Staffordshire faces regarding sustainability and propose viable solutions for local environmental and social issues.: 2
Describe how the region's geography and geology influenced economic development in the past and their relevance for the region's future.: 2
Be able to work as a team in preparing a group presentation for a non-specialist audience of a case study of sustainability in Staffordshire: 1

Study hours

Active learning:
9 * 2 hour teaching sessions = 18
Self guided field trip in Stoke = 4
Powerpoint training = 1
Group preparation workshop = 1
1 hour Engagement with online materials on case studies, one per teaching session from week 1 = 9 hours
Independent study hours:
Group project work: 30 hours
Individual project research and write up: 60
Reading and general preparation for assessments: 27

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Group Assessment weighted 40%
Group project on potential sustainable project
Working in groups of 4-6 students will prepare a presentation on a proposed sustainability initiative in Staffordshire. The presentation will be recorded and will be 7 minutes long.

2: Report weighted 60%
Individual report on Sustainability initiative in Staffordshire
Students will write an individual report (up to 2,000 words) on a sustainability challenge in Staffordshire and propose an initiative to address this.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 04 December 2025