ESC-30108 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

Growing interest in ocean and coastal development needs collaboration because of the interconnectivity of marine spaces and ecosystems. Blue Economy approaches are presented as ¿sustainable¿ but are contested. You will explore the wonders and complexities of our blue planet and develop evidence-based analysis of, and advocacy for, a sustainable ocean. Topics build from concepts through case studies towards your production of a video advocating a position on an issue and an essay evaluating the prospects for an ocean-focused sustainable future.

Students will develop a critical understanding of key sustainability concepts and the interplay of economic development, social progress, environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and climate change action through an ocean-focused perspective. The ¿Blue Economy¿ has become a key phrase, with ambiguous meaning, in policy and practice for ocean- and coastal-focused ¿sustainable¿ development and exemplifies many broader sustainability challenges. Studying these will develop critical evaluation and arguments skills transferable across environmental and geographical scholarship and professional practice.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Critically evaluate the scope, contradictions, challenges and solutions of key approaches to sustainable coastal and ocean focused economic development: 1,2
Demonstrate advanced information literacy skills in evaluating evidence, debates and conceptual arguments from the literature: 1,2
Integrate evidence and concepts from different academic disciplines and show interdisciplinary practice in assessing sustainable development debates: 1,2
Communicate an evidence-based persuasive narrative evaluating key aspects of the Blue Economy in both written and oral presentation forms: 1,2

Study hours

36 Active Learning Hours =
10 hours lectures: 2 lectures for each of 5 topics
10 hours workshops: 1 workshop following each lecture
10 hours directed study: 2 hours directed study for each session
4 hours self-guided: structured asynchronous session beginning assessments
2 hours self-guided: structured asynchronous introduction in advance of the module
114 hours independent study =
24 hours independent reading and study: 2 hours per week suggested
90 hours working specifically towards assessments

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment