SD2005 Securing sustainable solutions
Academic year
2026 to 2027 Semester 1
Curricular information may be subject to change
Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.
Key module information
SCOTCAT credits
20
SCQF level
SCQF level 8
Planned timetable
Lectures: 1pm Mon, Tues, Fri
Module Staff
Team taught
Module description
This module critically explores how to secure sustainable solutions for all whilst achieving human security and environmental integrity. A safe space for humanity sits between a social foundation and an ecological ceiling, in which we pursue fairness and address human rights whilst living within environmental limits. This module examines the benefits and trade-offs implicit in different dimensions of sustainability and their implementation. In seeking a safe space for humanity, we need to understand whose voices are currently heard (or missing) in narratives of development and address social inequalities and mechanisms of inclusion and exclusion. Lectures, tutorials, small group workshops and diverse assessments support students to analyse the processes and effects of injustice, to evaluate different forms of data and to develop strategic competencies to enhance their agency in realising sustainable futures.
Relationship to other modules
Pre-requisites
BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS SD1000 AND PASS SD1004
Anti-requisites
YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE IF YOU PASS SD2001 OR TAKE SD2001
Assessment pattern
100% Coursework.
Re-assessment
100% written examination
Learning and teaching methods and delivery
Weekly contact
3 x 1 hr lecture (x10 weeks), 1 hr tutorial (x 4 weeks), 1 hr project session (x 4 weeks)
Scheduled learning hours
38
Guided independent study hours
160
Intended learning outcomes
- By the end of this module, the students should be able to: Analyse new and emerging frameworks for interrogating Sustainable Development and human security.
- By the end of the module, students will be able to citically analyse the centrality of global governance to sustainable development and human security.
- Critically analyse the centrality of global governance to sustainable development and human security.
- By the end of the module, students will understand the politics of and the practical application of sustainable development policies and differentiate them from theoretical ones.
- By the end of the module, student will demonstrate development of skills relevant to further studies and future employment, such as identifying the critical demands of tasks, managing your time effectively, working collaboratively in groups, and presenting your ideas effectively.
- Develop competence in designing and presenting sustainable development and human security to academic and non-academic audiences alike.
SD2005 From Sustainable Development to Human Security
Academic year
2025 to 2026 Semester 1
Curricular information may be subject to change
Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.
Key module information
SCOTCAT credits
20
SCQF level
SCQF level 8
Planned timetable
Lectures: 1pm Mon, Tues, Fri
Module Staff
Dr Fernando Benitez; Dr Louise Reid, Dr Kathryn Fredricks; and Dr Ife Okafor-Yarwood
Module description
This module builds on the core material of SD1000 and SD1004 of SD Year 1. SD Year 2 explores sustainable development and human security (semester 1) and sustainability and nature (semester 2). This semester, incorporating the human security discourse into sustainable development, this module focuses on four themes representing overarching approaches for developing sustainability solutions, whose interests they represent and their implications on the individual as the referent object of security and sustainable development. Engaging the human security components allows us to understand the implications of sustainable development, or lack thereof, on the people whose development we seek to sustain. Through critical interrogation of approaches to the sustainable development of which the SDGs are currently at its core and human security, this module will explore the benefits and trade-offs implicit in different dimensions of sustainability and their implications.
Relationship to other modules
Pre-requisites
BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS SD1000 AND PASS SD1004
Anti-requisites
YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE IF YOU PASS SD2001 OR TAKE SD2001
Assessment pattern
100% Coursework.
Re-assessment
100% written examination
Learning and teaching methods and delivery
Weekly contact
3 lectures (x 10 weeks); 1 tutorial (x 4 weeks); 1x 5hr field trip
Scheduled learning hours
40
Guided independent study hours
160
Intended learning outcomes
- By the end of this module, the students should be able to: Analyse new and emerging frameworks for interrogating Sustainable Development and Human Security.
- Explain the interactions or lack thereof between sustainable development and human security.
- Critically analyse the centrality of global governance to sustainable development and human security.
- Understand the politics of and the practical application of sustainable development policies and differentiate them from theoretical ones.
- Through the lectures, seminars and assessments, you will develop skills relevant to further studies and future employment: You will develop your ability to identify critical demands of tasks, manage your time effectively, work collaboratively in groups, and present your ideas effectively.
- Develop competence in designing and presenting sustainable development and human security to academic and non-academic audiences alike.