GEOG31050 Sustainability in Action

Academic Year 2021/2022

*** Not available in the academic year indicated above ***

This module provides the opportunity to undertake a 5-day residential field-trip to Copenhagen, one of the most sustainable and energy efficient cities in the world. It has the ambition of becoming the first carbon neutral capital by 2025 and is supported by environmentally sensitive transport modes, climate change defences, sustainable urban redevelopment, and efficient energy use tactics. Its planning process plays a more significant role than simply altering people’s values.
Copenhagen’s approach to sustainability also mirrors the interdisciplinary style adopted in the BSc Sustainability. For example, Copenhagen uses an interdisciplinary approach to fund a defence towards climate change. According to its 2011 Climate Adaptation Plan, stakeholders in the process include the government, Copenhagen Energy, CPH City and Port Development and the Copenhagen Metro. The city’s first step in 2011 was to pass on knowledge about climate proofing to the public and businesses. You will get the chance to explore the viability and relevance of such solutions to Ireland. Throughout the field trip we will interact with local experts, planners, policy makers and academics to investigate the skills required to turn knowing into doing.

The fieldtrip takes place in the week before Autumn term commences in early September 2022. Final dates will be confirmed once bookings have been made. It will be the student’s responsibility to arrive in Copenhagen independently for the start of the field work. There will be an additional cost associated with this module, which will not exceed €500.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module the learner will have;
• Applied learning from across the BSc Sustainability to an international, real-world context.
• Developed an awareness of the sustainability progress of a global city in Europe;
• Undertaken practical fieldwork methods including community surveys, mapping and consultation techniques on fieldwork.
• Critically assess sustainability challenges in Ireland in a comparative perspective;
• Enhanced independent research and critical fieldwork skills.
• Developed skills in digital communication of fieldwork findings.

Indicative Module Content:

This is a highly interactive module that is designed around fieldwork over 5 days in Copenhagen. Examples of learning include applying field work skills of community surveying, mapping and engagement in Copenhagen and delivering a digital communication report of key findings. Follow up group work in Weeks 1-5 will aim to produce a digital communication media of the learnings and comparative analysis with Ireland. Examples could include ArcGIS story Map or You Tube Videos, digital posters etc. To reflect the inter-disciplinary nature of Sustainability, this module is team-taught by faculty who have expertise in various areas of sustainability.
Full details of the itinerary and planned schedule will be distributed to students at the start of Spring Trimester in 2022. Please direct all queries about this module to the Module Coordinator Prof Jacky Croke in the first instance.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

50
Lectures

10
Field Trip/External Visits

50
Project Supervision

10
Total

120
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Students will undertake a number of different exercises in Copenhagen including skills in community surveying, mapping and public engagement learnt in the Stage 2 core module GEOG20240. Results from these exercises, along with your comprehensive field notes, will be recorded in a learning journal during the field-trip.
Building on the field work in Copenhagen, and working in Groups, students will develop and design a digital presentation using either ArcGIS Story Map, You Tube Video or another digital medium to show case your project outcomes. The module is based around the principles of problem-based learning and critical thinking. High level interactions with key personnel in Copenhagen will be sued to hone student's skills in community interaction and participation.
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Group Project: A group project using ArcGIS Story Map to show case results from the field trip and a comparative example in Ireland. Week 5 n/a Graded Yes

50
Journal: A number of different exercises will be completed in the field-trip and these will be completed along with your comprehensive field notes. Week 1 n/a Graded Yes

50

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback on the field journal will be given to the students individually and a combination of peer and academic feedback will be given on the Story Map.