Year One
Economic Principles of Global Sustainable Development
Why and how can economics address issues of global sustainable development? In this module you will learn about the relationship between economic activity social inclusion and environmental sustainability and critically analyse the economic theories that underpin sustainable development policy interventions and how those theories impact upon policy design
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Environmental Principles of Global Sustainable Development
This module focuses on the natural science of the world’s most pressing environmental issues We will cover well-known topics like climate change and biodiversity loss and less prominent problems like biochemical flows You will evaluate existing governance and management efforts and develop innovative responses of your own You will learn how to write a policy briefing and create a policy briefing paper and policy pitch aimed at a specific decision-making audience
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Social Principles of Global Sustainable Development
This module examines concepts that enable you to analyse and interpret social and political issues related to global sustainable development You will learn to understand and evaluate pressing social and political dimensions of sustainability at national and international levels
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Global Sustainable Development Project
This is an exciting innovative and practical module It is designed to give you research and analysis skills and to enable you to apply the theories from your other first-year core modules You will learn how to research sustainability by designing and developing a group project on the topic of sustainable transport under the guidance of an academic supervisor Staff from across the GSD Department with expertise in transport policy as well as research methods teach this module
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Theories of Learning
This module introduces you to various psychological theories outlining how human beings learn The module covers leading child development theorists' perspectives on learning in the early (such as Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky) as well as exploring the work of theorists who explore learning from the perspective of older children young people and adults By the end of the module you'll have acquired the tools for evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of contrasting learning theories This module also aims to give you an insight into the relationship between social values culture and theories of learning
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Social Contexts of Childhood and Education
This module is an introduction to the sociologies of education and childhood It will cover theories of social reproduction through education and consider themes including socialisation and agency We will engage with concepts of stigma marginalisation and social mobility Theoretical ideas such as intersectionality habitus and hegemony will feature as we get to grips with the relationship between educational and social inequalities Students will be invited to consider social class gender ‘race’ and disability and employ their ‘sociological imagination’ to analyse contemporary accounts of educational experience
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International Education
This module will explore models concepts and themes relating to education at a global level There are two overarching trends which structure the sessions First processes of globalisation provide a theoretical frame within which students will examine themes and trends that cut across geographical and national boundaries Among other things globalisation and children’s rights to education the Millennium Development Goals the investment in early education and the marketisation of schooling and higher education are discussed Second the module will focus on the way that education is promoted within different international contexts thereby exploring how factors such as ideology culture and economics impact on education There will be more of a case study approach here with students focusing on country specific education systems such as Scandinavia America or Italy In each case the focus may be on the schooling system the provision of early education or the shifting role of higher education
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Education Today
This module is your starting point to understand historical and contemporary issues in education It is organised around the idea that policies and practices from the past still resonate in the organisation funding priorities and day-to-day life of educational institutions today Students will get the chance to access the historical archive held at the Modern Records Centre on campus which contains a wealth of material on late 19th-20th century British and international history politics economics and society The themes covered by the module include compulsory schooling policies colonialism and schooling special needs education and gender segregation
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Year Two
Choose one of the following
Health and Sustainable Development
Viable and equitable solutions in health and sustainable development require interdisciplinary and critical thinking The first part of the module will introduce you to fundamental concepts of global health governance and health systems and acquaint you with key global health priorities like drug resistance and mental health from the perspective of global sustainable development The second part of the module will focus on issues that relate to policies and behavioural change and are also applicable beyond health for example in areas like education or technology transfer
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Security Sovereignty and Sustainability in the Global Food System
Goal 2 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development aims to end hunger end all forms of malnutrition and ensure sustainable food production systems However the world population will likely increase to nearly 10 billion people by 2050 After decades of positive change the incidence of malnourishment is again on the rise global stocks of key food are contracting and it is currently more expensive to buy food than for most of our planet’s modern history
This module addresses these significant challenges by encouraging students to adopt a 'food systems approach' in responding to the imperative agendas of food security sovereignty and sustainability The module is taught in collaboration with researchers from across various disciplines at Warwick especially those involved in the University's Global Research Priority on Food
Read more about the Security Sovereignty and Sustainability in the Global Food System moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2022 23 of study)
Inequalities and Sustainable Development Inclusion and Dignity for All
This module focuses on how inequalities shape our societies economies environments and politics Starting with the question ‘Does inequality matter?’ you will critically reflect on the United Nations' decision to integrate inequalities into the Sustainable Development Agenda You will then explore six different dimensions of inequalities (work politics environmental justice societal discrimination automation and globalisation empowerment) and gain an understanding of the complexities of these problems Finally you will appreciate the challenges faced by today’s policy makers who aim to address issues of inequalities while taking into consideration all three pillars of sustainable development
Read more about the Inequalities and Sustainable Development Inclusion and Dignity for All moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2022 23 of study)
A choice of two modules from the following
Globalisation and Education
This module will explore models concepts and themes relating to the globalisation of education In particular there are two general trends outlined and critically examined with reference to globalisation
The first overarching theme is the idea of globalisation as a process of global standardisation The module will pick up on a number of debates and issues relating to how attempts have been made to homogenise education globally or at least move towards more universal provision at a number of different levels This will involve analyses of the political and economic dimensions of globalisation as it affects education including the involvement of supra-national organisations NGOs and nation states
The second dominant theme is the emphasis on global diversity Attempts at globalising education come up against political and cultural obstacles The second half of the module will focus more on trends and cases of education and schooling that highlight the diversity of provision and practices within education The sessions will refer to global and national policy contexts where relevant as well as pick up on novel attempts to provide education and schooling in contexts of political and economic adversity
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Policies and Politics of the English Education System
This module will introduce you to the core areas of policy contention innovation and development in the English educational system Starting with the historical context you’ll discover how the major reviews of education in the 20th and 21st centuries have shaped educational policy and practice You’ll also explore
formal educational assessment
how policy affects educational inequality
how social and cultural changes within English society have affected the education system and curriculum
different approaches to teacher training
trends in the marketisation of education in England
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Professional Identity and Skills Work-Based Placement
This module gives you the opportunity to hone your professional skills and career aspirations through an education-focused work-based placement In taught sessions you’ll explore the professional characteristics of organisations who work with children young people and their families in an educational capacity This will include investigating the staffing and leadership structures of example organisations their policies their modes of work professional roles and conduct In addition the role of reflective practice in professional development will be examined from both theoretical and practical angles You’ll be given support with organising your placement which can be in a location of your choice (however approval must be gained from the module leader who must see a clear connection between the work of your chosen organisation and the concept of ‘education’) or may be based with one of the Department of Education Studies’ key partners Education Studies placement partners consist of organisations that deliver both formal and informal education in a variety of contexts (ie schools hospitals charities children’s centres sports organisations youth theatres community organisations)
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Final Year
GSD Dissertation Long Project
In this module you will bring together all of your learning and experiences on the course – the theoretical concepts and principles and your practical know-how – in order to address a specific sustainable development problem of your own choosing This will be a problem that concerns you most and which you would like to tackle
You will be supported by an academic supervisor to devise a suitable project and to undertake research to explore the issue taking a transdisciplinary approach to your investigation in order to produce an original research output This may be a concept paper a practical project a film production a long essay an advocacy campaignuse your creativity!
You will design a strategy for disseminating your findings (for example at a conference presentation via online publication or an article in a journal or at a public meeting that you have arranged) This provides you with an opportunity to have your voice heard in a forum where it matters and could have lasting impact
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Optional modules
Optional modules can vary from to Example optional modules include
GSD modules
Managing Natural Resources
The Energy Trilemma
Human Rights and Social Justice in Latin America and the Caribbean
Realising Sustainable Development
Multilingualism and Sustainable Development
Surviving the Apocalypse
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Education Studies
Education for Sustainability
Education and Social Justice
Social Theory and Education
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