Module code
BML127
Title
Sustainability Matters
Programme
University of Chichester Business School
Level
4
Credits
15
ECTS*
7.5
Contact time
3hrs per week + tutorials
Acceptable for
Mandatory for BA (Hons) Sustainable Tourism Management and BA (Hons) Event Management - option module for other routes
Excluded combinations
n/a
Mandatory/Optional
Mandatory for BA (Hons) Sustainable Tourism Management and BA (Hons) Event Management - option module for other routes
Module Co-ordinator
Dr Jorge Gutic
Description Since its inception in the 1980s, when only a handful of academics and planners developed and started to use the concept of sustainable development, it has evolved from a relatively unknown principle to a mainstream management goal that individuals, businesses and organisations everywhere aspire to achieve and customers are increasingly demanding from the products and services they consume. The aim of this module is thus to introduce students to the concept of sustainable development, highlight the principles that underpin the concept and its evolution, and provide an understanding of the main management frameworks currently used to guide its application in the tourism industry, as well as in the wider business environment. The focus of the module is to explore the concept of applied sustainability, defined as “an action-oriented and project-based approach, which use principles of sustainable development and applies them to real contexts and to real situations, yielding the benefits which can be expected when methods, approaches, processes and principles of sustainable development are put into practice” (Leal Filho, 2011:15). Outline Syllabus & Teaching & Learning Methods In keeping with the ideals of sustainability and empowered community-centred action, the teaching approach emphasises student initiative and peer learning. The module tutor will lead a weekly discussion on sustainable frameworks and conceptual questions, and these will be supplemented with student in-class presentations that describe particular approaches, or alternatively discuss case studies, in relation to the application of sustainable development at different levels of influence. Thus, the module teaching approach is modelled on the same values implicit in the sustainable development movement, i.e. collaborative participation and decision making in a locally-situated framework that considers more global concerns. This approach is also reflected on the assessment regime, as it is expected that students will support each other through collaborative learning activities and peer-supported and enabled assessment activities.
Key areas in the module include: n
Defining sustainable development – concepts and approaches
n
Sustainable development as a new social concept
n
The environment and sustainable development: climate change, biodiversity conservation.
n
Sustainable development for international cooperation and poverty alleviation
n
Sustainable development policies and planning
n
Sustainable development in the build and rural environments
n
Sustainable tourism development models: VICE, WTO’s Sustainable Tourism Development Framework.
Intended Learning Outcomes
How assessed**
On successful completion of this module students will be able to: Distinguish the key components of the sustainability concept and the different ways in which the concept of sustainable development has been defined and conceptualised
Reflective blog
Recognise the relationship between sustainable development and major societal and attitudinal changes in developed societies
Reflective blog
Reflect on and synthesise information to develop a coherent discussion
Reflective blog
Apply key elements of the sustainable development concept into a sustainable action initiative to positively influence the sustainability of a specific community
Sustainable initiative
n
Reference literature using appropriate conventions
Sustainable initiative
n
Communicate effectively in written and verbal form
Both assessments
n
Display appropriate IT skills
Both assessments
n
n
n
n
Assessment Scheme
Weighting %
Formative: Students will receive support and guidance through in-class discussions on how to approach the different elements of their assessment. Students will be encouraged to reflect on the topics discussed during the sessions and the way they can be related to the module assessments. Assessment Scheme
0%
Weighting %
Summative: (i) Evidence-based individual reflective blog on sustainable issues supporting in-class discussion (1,225 word equivalent) Students will work individually to collect weekly topical, publicly available evidence relating to the topics to be discussed each week in class, and reflect on the significance of the selected topic to the concept of sustainability at a local, regional and global scale. The individual blogs will be collated into an online group reflective discussion library allowing students to share their individual evidence and reflections with their colleagues.
35%
Assessment Criteria • Relevance of the chosen evidence to the class-assigned topic • Ability to synthesise information to develop a coherent discussion argument • Evidence of reflection by relating discussed topic with wider sustainability issues (ii) Peer assessment of individual reflective blogs and in-class discussions (525 word equivalent) Students will assess the level of collective reflection and relevance of the discussion provided on the online group reflective discussion library and assess the collective effort of their colleagues in supporting and expanding their own learning. Assessment Criteria • Relevance of the discussion to specific sustainable development topic • Evidence of information synthesis and coherent discussion argument • Evidence of reflection that relates discussed topic with wider sustainability issues
15%
(iii) Applied sustainable development initiative (1,750 word equivalent) Students to conceptually develop and implement a sustainable development initiative that specifically focuses on promoting sustainable change in a specific area of sustainability (i.e. social, economic or environmental). The initiative should be focused over a specific group of individuals or organisations, but this focus could be local, regional or international. Students will work in small teams to develop the integrated sustainable development initiative but will be asked to submit an individual report for their specific area of sustainable action.
50%
Assessment Criteria • Structure, content and succinctness of the individual report • Appropriate application and relevance of sustainable development principles in relation to the assessment brief • Evidence of best practice case studies and accurate referencing to the academic literature using appropriate conventions • Evidence of potential or actual sustainable change promoted by the initiative Reassessment Scheme
Weighting %
Essay discussing the significance of each sustainable topic raised on the Reflective Blogs for the organisation on which the sustainable development initiative was based (3,500 words)
100%
Indicative Reading Lists/Key Texts/Websites/other resources Brandon, P. and Lombardi, P. (2010) Evaluating Sustainable Development in the Built Environment, Wiley-Blackwell, Hoboken. Clini, C. Musu, I. and Gullino, M. (2008) Sustainable Development and Environmental Management, Springer, Dordrecht. Edgell, D. (2016) Managing Sustainable Tourism, Routledge, London. Epstein, M. and Rejc, B. (2014) Making Sustainability Work, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Oakland. Hulse, J. (2007) Sustainable Development At Risk, IDRC, Ottawa. ILO (2012) Working Towards Sustainable Development: Opportunities for Decent work and Social Inclusion in a Green Economy, International Labour Office, Geneva. Jones, M.L. (2010) Sustainable Event Management: A Practical Guide, Earthscan, London. (E-book) Leal Filho, W. (Ed.) (2011) Environmental Education, Communication and Sustainability, Volume 32: World Trends in Education for Sustainable Development. Peter Lang AG, Frankfurt. Lesley, D. (2014) Tourism Enterprise – Developments, Management and Sustainability, CABI, Wallingford, Oxon. Lesley, D. (2016), New Directions in Tourism Analysis – Tourism Enterprises and the Sustainability Agenda Across Europe, Routledge, London. Roosa, S. (2010) Sustainable Development Handbook, Second Edition, The Fairmont Press, Lilburn.