Module Catalogue 2024/25

POL8063 : Sustainable Development Goals (Inactive)

POL8063 : Sustainable Development Goals (Inactive)

  • Inactive for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Emily Clough
  • Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module aims to introduce students to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Introduced in 2015, after the era Millennium Development Goals, the SDGs are a set of 17 economic, social, environmental and governance goals that are meant to be achieved by all UN nations by 2030. The SDGs represent several new ways of thinking about development: they are universal, applying to developed as well as developing countries; cross-cutting, emphasising the importance of working towards social, economic, environmental and governance goals in an integrated and synergistic manner; and require that to meet the goals, countries must meet the needs of traditionally left-behind groups in society.

By the end of the module, students should have some understanding of:
•       The content and role of the Sustainable Development Goals
•       The practical and normative concerns around how actors at all levels are trying to achieve the SDGs
•       Global governance of development and environmental issues

Outline Of Syllabus

The module covers the following subjects:

What are the SDGs?
History and origins of the SDGs: evolution from the Millennium Development Goals
The meanings of sustainable development: environmental and economic
Indivisibility of the SDGs: principles and practice
Institutions and Processes for the SDGs: HLPF and VNRs
National planning towards the SDGs
Cities and the SDGs
Advocating for the SDGs: Stakeholders and Democracy in Sustainable Development
Measuring Progress towards the SDGs (combine with institutions?)
Principles of the SDGs: Universality and Leaving No One Behind

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of the module, the students will understand:
What the SDGs are and how they differ from other frameworks for global policymaking
How the SDGs have been developed and implemented at the global, national and local levels
Major critiques of the SDGs and sustainable development as an approach

Intended Skill Outcomes

Students will learn to:
Read both academic literature and policy documents in a critical and informed way
Engage in active discussion around practical and ethical issues raised by the SDGs
Critically analyse current environmental and development policy with respect to theory

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching112:0022:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1178:00178:00N/A
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Rationale and relationship to learning outcomes: the two hour weekly seminar will involve a combination of a presentation by the module leader and discussion based around students being responsible for leading the discussion. The themes of the seminars will relate to the theoretical, methodological and substantive issues outlined in the module aims. The seminar-based teaching and learning methods will enable students to develop employment-related skills such as interpersonal communication, oral presentation, teamwork, planning and organising, information literacy and problem solving. The presentation of the research papers facilitates communication and presentation skills as well as the development of critical analysis.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Research paper1A1004000 words
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Students will be asked to assess progress on an SDG or a group of SDGs in a specific context. They will be asked to choose a policy audience, whether government, NGO, international organisation, or other. This format will allow them to apply the theories they have learned to exercise career-relevant writing skills.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.