Sustainable Development, MA (Hons)

Course summary

Sustainable development refers to the challenges involved in reducing global inequalities while also reducing threats to the planet's systems from industrialised production and consumption. But what sustainable development do we have today? What is its history, how has it developed this way, and what are its possible futures? The social sciences aim to offer insight on the underlying causes of the challenges of our time, including:

• social

• political

• economic

• technological

• cultural

Understanding the origin of these problems can help us adapt and transform, leading to a more sustainable future. This is especially important as we seek to expand environmental care in relation to:

• climate stability

• biodiversity

• the renewal of natural resources

This multidisciplinary programme addresses sustainable development (as an interrelated global and local issue) to examine:

• how societies organise social, economic and political activity

• the social and environmental consequences of current ways of living

• how societies relate to the natural world

• the relationship between current and future generations

• patterns of development

• opportunities for social, political, economic and technological change

Throughout our programme we address many different issues and concepts, including but not limited to:

• social and environmental justice

• sustainable consumption

• economic structures

• food systems

• energy technologies and policies

• governance and democracy

How the programme worksStudents will take core courses in sustainable development alongside core courses in another chosen disciplinary pathway subject. You will also have access to a wide range of optional courses to complement and broaden your learning.Our programme is primarily based on social science, although there are options for students wishing to pursue natural scientific perspectives on sustainable development. These are not compulsory.

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