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Foundations in Sustainable Solutions

Module description

This is the first of the two modules comprising the ‘Minor’ in Sustainable Solutions (MinSS). This programme will empower you to be a driving force for positive change in a world grappling with complex sustainability challenges. Grounded in the University’s ‘Prepare to Succeed’ framework, this programme will provide you with the knowledge ("Learning") to understand the interconnected nature of sustainability issues, the skills ("Doing") to develop and implement innovative solutions, and the professional behaviours ("Being") to effectively collaborate, communicate, and lead in diverse settings. By the time you graduate with a Minor in Sustainable Solutions, you will be equipped to address critical global challenges, create impactful solutions, and lead the transition towards a fairer, greener, and healthier future.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to provide students with a solid foundation in the key concepts, principles, and frameworks of sustainable solutions. Students will learn to analyse complex sustainability challenges from a systems thinking perspective, understand the role of education for sustainable development (ESD), and explore the principles and practice of challenge-based learning (CBL) as applied to real-world sustainability problems. In addition, the module aims to introduce students to the concept of the university as a living lab and encourage students to examine and understand the sustainability performance of their own institution. This will involve identifying sustainability challenges, analysing potential solutions, and exploring opportunities to engage in collaborative action.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Analyse complex sustainability challenges from a systems thinking perspective
• 2. Examine and understand the sustainability performance of your own institution, the university as a living lab

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. Understand the role of education for sustainable development (ESD) in addressing global sustainability challenges
• 4. Apply the principles and practice of challenge-based learning (CBL) to real-world sustainability problems

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Engage in collaborative action to identify sustainability challenges, analyse potential solutions, and explore opportunities for improvement

Syllabus plan

The academic content of this module includes:

• Defining the landscape: Introduce the core concepts of Sustainable Solutions and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).
• Systems thinking for sustainability: Introduce systems thinking as a foundational tool for understanding the interconnectedness of sustainability challenges.
• Analysing complex challenges: Applying systems-thinking to real-world challenges through challenge-based learning.
• Change agents and key competencies: Introducing the concept of change agent and discussing the key competencies necessary for driving sustainability transformations.
• Understanding stakeholder perspectives: Group discussions on different stakeholder perspectives, encouraging critical thinking, empathy in understanding the needs of diverse stakeholders.
• Integrating entrepreneurship and sustainability: Explore the intersection of entrepreneurship and sustainability, highlighting the role of innovation and entrepreneurial skills in developing sustainable solutions.
• Sustainable innovation and design thinking: Introduce design thinking as a human-centred, iterative approach to problem-solving in the context of sustainable solutions.
• Tools and technologies for sustainable solutions: Explore the role of digital technologies and tools in facilitating the development and implementation of sustainable solutions.
• The university as a living lab: Examine existing sustainability initiatives across the University of Exeter.
• Building sustainable communities: Explore the concept of sustainable communities and the role of collective action in driving positive change.
• Policy and governance for sustainability: Examine the role of policy and governance in enabling and supporting the implementation of sustainable solutions.
• Communication and advocacy for sustainable solutions: Equip students with the skills to effectively communicate the value and impact of sustainable solutions to diverse audiences.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• D’Amato D, Toppinen A, Kozak R: The Role of Business in Global Sustainability Transformations
• Jackson MC: Critical Systems Thinking and the Management of Complexity
• Robetson M: Sustainability - Principles and Practice

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

•  The Parliamentarians’ Guide to Climate Change (University of Exeter, 2024)

Key words search

Sustainability; systems thinking; sustainable solutions; sustainable development; design thinking