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MODULE DESCRIPTOR
Module Title
Sustainable Societies And Environments
Reference SSM223 Version 2
Created April 2017 SCQF Level SCQF 11
Approved May 2016 SCQF Points 15
Amended August 2017 ECTS Points 7.5

Aims of Module
To provide students undertaking more social science or people-focussed studies with a grounding in the fundamentals of sustainability, energy and environmental change. To explore in particular the social and political implications of climate change, energy decisions and sustainability policy.

Learning Outcomes for Module
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:
1 Critically discuss the basic principles of a range of sustainability and energy strategies that may help to mitigate climate change - and of climate change itself.
2 Critically assess the social and political implications of different environmental sustainability outcomes.
3 Evaluate the implications of different sustainability and energy options for social responsibility and environmental governance.
4 Analyse the difficulties and opportunities for deploying sustainability and energy initiatives in different cultural contexts.

Indicative Module Content
Introduction to principles of energy, sustainability and climate change; Sustainability policy in the UK and global context; Overview of different 'supply side' energy technologies - wind (onshore/offshore), wave/tidal, hydro, solar, geothermal, 'clean coal' (carbon capture and storage), nuclear, fuel cells; Overview of societal initiatives to reduce environmental impacts - energy efficiency, behaviour change; Public perceptions of new environmental technologies; 'Responsible' innovation and ethical governance of technologies

Module Delivery
This is a lecture and seminar-based course. There will be directed study in the form of set reading to prepare for lectures and seminars, and private study to follow up on material discussed in class. All of this will feed into the final assessment and students are expected to attend lectures and contribute to seminars.

Indicative Student Workload Full Time Part Time
Contact Hours 20 20
Non-Contact Hours 130 130
Placement/Work-Based Learning Experience [Notional] Hours N/A N/A
TOTAL 150 150
Actual Placement hours for professional, statutory or regulatory body    

ASSESSMENT PLAN
If a major/minor model is used and box is ticked, % weightings below are indicative only.
Component 1
Type: Coursework Weighting: 100% Outcomes Assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4
Description: Component 1 will be assessed by written coursework

MODULE PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTOR
Explanatory Text
There is one coursework which contributes 100% to the module total.
Module Grade Minimum Requirements to achieve Module Grade:
A The student needs an A in C1.
B The student needs a B in C1.
C The student needs a C in C1.
D The student needs a D in C1.
E The student needs an E in C1.
F The student needs an F in C1.
NS Non-submission of work by published deadline or non-attendance for examination

Module Requirements
Prerequisites for Module None in addition to course entry requirements or equivalent.
Corequisites for module None.
Precluded Modules None.

INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY
1 MACKAY, D., 2009. Sustainable energy - without the hot air. Cambridge: UIT Press. Available to download for free at: www.withouthotair.com
2 REAY, D., 2005. Climate change begins at home: life in the two-way street of global warming. London: Macmillan.
3 ROBERTS, T., et al., 2013. Low-carbon energy controversies. Routledge: London.
4 SALAMONE, R., and SAIJA, G., 2014. Pathways to environmental sustainability: methodologies and experiences. New York: Springer.
5 VAN DEN HOVEN, J., et al., 2014. Responsible innovation 1:innovative solutions for global issues. New York: Springer.

Robert Gordon University, Garthdee House, Aberdeen, AB10 7QB, Scotland, UK: a Scottish charity, registration No. SC013781