MA Honours

Sustainable Development

Dr Claire Haggett Degree Programme

Director

University of Edinburgh Post-Offer Visit Day 26th March 2014

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Welcome

Dr Claire Haggett, Programme Director, andLecturer in the Sociology of Sustainability

Overview1. Why this topic2. Why this degree3. Why Edinburgh

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1) Why this topic? • Key challenges of our time• Sustainable development requires an

interdisciplinary approach: what we provide here

• Degree focuses not just on environmental sustainability, but on the social, political, cultural and economic dynamics

• Interdisciplinary social science– Emphasis on social and political

understanding – and change– No science background required

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Interdisciplinary core courses

First year:• Introduction to Sustainable Development: key issues • Science and Society - Nature and Environment:

understanding the science of sustainability

Second year:• Perspectives on Sustainable Development: key topics• Sustainability, Society and Environment: key resources

Third year: Cases in Sustainable DevelopmentFourth Year: Dissertation (and research methods training)

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2) Programme structure

• Flexibility and choice1) Core courses in sustainable development

2) Additional subject area ‘pathway’• Five to chose from:

– Geography, International Relations, Politics, Social Anthropology, Sociology

– Allows students to take options from those disciplines

– Further courses, events, opportunities

3) Wide range of related outside courses– Economics, Business Studies,

Philosophy, Biological sciences, Geosciences, History, languages and so on….

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Semester One Semester Two

Year1

Introducing Sustainable Development

Introduction to Politics and International Relations

Human Geography

Science and Society

Democracy in Comparative Perspective

Morality, Rationality, and Value Year 2

Perspectives on Sustainable Development

International Cooperation

Principles of Economics

Sustainability, Society and Environment

Social & Political Enquiry

Spanish

Sustainable Development degree with Politics pathway, Year 1 and 2

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Semester One Semester Two

Year3

Designing and Doing Social Research

Environmental Politics in Europe

Sociology of the Environment & Risk

Cases in Sustainable Development

Green Political Thought

Technology, Religion & Ethics

Year4

Dissertation in Sustainable Development

Comparative Politics

Political Ecology

Dissertation in Sustainable Development

War and Justice

Social Development

Sustainable Development degree with Politics emphasis, Year 3 and 4

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Teaching and study methods

• Lectures and tutorials – especially Years 1 & 2

• Seminar-based honours courses

• Field based classes (Year 3)• Independent Research (Year 4)

– Dissertation: your choice of sustainable development topic

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Studying abroad

• Several exchanges available in 3rd year

• Erasmus exchange: (Europe)

• International exchange: Canada, US, Hong Kong, Australia (College-wide competition)

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Career ProspectsOur graduates will be particularly well

equipped to pursue careers in:

• Public sectors linked to sustainability– NGOs (environment, development)– Governmental agencies and posts

at local, national, European levelNot to worry!

• International agencies (UN, WHO, FAO, DFID) involved in development or sustainability

• Business / consultancy • Especially linked to sustainability, corporate

responsibility

• Teaching and higher education

• Very close liaison with the Careers Office• Sessions from first year onwards• Opportunities for help and support

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3) Why Edinburgh University

• Expertise• Engagement• Excellence

• Outstanding research/teaching expertise in social and natural sciences– New interdisciplinary climate centre– Global Academy for Environment and Society

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Why Edinburgh University: engagement

• University commitment to sustainability– Ambitious sustainable

development programme– Sustainability strategy:

‘Creating opportunities from global challenges’

– Green Energy award winner – Sustainability Office:

sustainability engagement

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Engagement and Extra-curricular activities

• ‘Our Changing World’• ‘Global Challenges’ events• Sustainability Awards

• Student societies and clubs– Edinburgh Ecology Society, International Development Society,

Transition Edinburgh; People and Planet; Edinburgh Global Partnerships, The Dirty Weekenders (Edinburgh University Conservation Society); Hearty Squirrel Food Cooperative...

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Sustainable Development Course nominated for EUSA Best Course Teaching Award

Award winning teaching staff

Active students engaged with sustainability issues– Sustainable Development Association– Sustainable Development student wins the EUSA Global Student Star award

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In summary…

• The degree is:– Interdisciplinary– Social science based– Flexible and based on

student interests• The University offers:

– Expertise and excellence– The opportunity to

engage– Extra curricular activities

Questions…?

claire.haggett@ed.ac.uk

www.sps.ed.ac.uk