SUST30020 Sustainability in Action(SUST)

Academic Year 2024/2025

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 2023. It will be the students 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 EUR500.

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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 reflective essay and digital communication media of the learnings. Please direct all queries about this module to the Module Coordinator Assoc. Professor Ainhoa González.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

10
Field Trip/External Visits

50
Autonomous Student Learning

40
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module is based around the principles of problem-based learning and critical thinking. High level interactions with key personnel in Copenhagen will be used to hone student's skills in community interaction and participation.Students will undertake a number of different exercises in Copenhagen including community surveying, mapping and public engagement. 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 project outcomes. 
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 Work Assignment: Building on your fieldwork in Copenhagen, and working in groups, you will design a digital presentation using ArcGIS StoryMap, YouTube, or another digital medium to showcase your project outcomes. n/a Graded Yes

50
Reflective Assignment: A substantive report with field notes from Copenhagen presented with a view to reflecting on aspects that could be transferred/ developed in Ireland. n/a Graded Yes

50

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

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• 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 essay, presentation and digital output.

Name Role
Professor Tasman Crowe Lecturer / Co-Lecturer