Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The aim of this module is to:

1.       provide students with a foundational knowledge of climate change and a critical understanding of sustainable climate action from a “systems thinking” perspective.
2.       bring students together from across Newcastle University's disciplines to tackle climate change challenges and start to develop impactful climate action responses
3.       provide the opportunity for students to engage in cross-disciplinary collaboration, supporting them to develop interdisciplinary approaches, appreciate climate action from diverse perspectives and hear from some of the latest climate change related research, actors and actions.
4.       support students to understand that every discipline has a connection to climate change, and to be able to bring this learning back to their own disciplines and future careers.

Outline Of Syllabus

The syllabus will be delivered in a blended format, to make accessible to students across the University.
Students will engage in interactive, project -based, learning activities that will support collaborative and negotiating skills. This approach is designed to help students to make impactful change on climate crisis

The syllabus will include four key themes:
1.       The Scientific Evidence and Impacts of Climate Change
2.       The Policies, Politics and Economics of Climate Action
3.       People and Planet: Social and Ethical Challenges
4.       Measuring, Monitoring and Methods

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Following this module students will be able to:
1.       Critically engage with the fundamental science that underpins current understanding of Climate Change
2.       Outline and critically discuss the values and methods/approaches that underpin and/or undermine Climate Action
3.       Recognise the significance of wider systems and challenges within the context of climate change Demonstrate knowledge of international and national policy and governance with regard to Climate Action, including UN SDGs
4.       Apply scientific/historical and cultural knowledge to inform and construct impactful arguments relating to Climate Action

Intended Skill Outcomes

Following this module students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate reflective skills within a cross-disciplinary context.
2. Develop the ability to present data and information in an impactful way, and the ability to explain why it is impactful and effective
3. Articulate complex ideas verbally and visually, and to be able to synthesize complex data sets and arguments
4. Demonstrate how skills and knowledge acquired in this module, maps to other academic and societal frameworks.
5. Develop and apply the analytical skills required to work in an interdisciplinary way, and to find solutions to sustainable climate change and action

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

To meet expectations of an interdisciplinary cohort we will provide multiple methods and approaches to teaching content delivery:

Lectures will deliver foundational knowledge that students will require.
Seminars will give context for deeper exploration of lecture content and a forum for questions from structured guided learning activities.
Workshops would be activity-led, will provide a context for interdisciplinary collaboration and exchange will provide a context for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Structured guided materials will allow students from different disciplinary areas to develop knowledge and skills at their own pace.
Drop-ins will support the development of interpersonal skills and reflection.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Students will be assessed via a critical essay that captures and provides evidence of that captures and provides evidence of
• their learning across both semesters (content)
• their critical reflection on the lectures and seminars from the context of their discipline
• their critical reflection on the experience and outcomes of the group project work
• their ability to identify additional subject-specific learning resources that inform both the group work and demonstrate a commitment to continued learning in climate change
• A critical reflection on the module contents relationship to the UNSDGs

Students will also be assessed via a group produced poster in terms of:
- Clarity and coherence of the infographic design.
- Effective visualization of quantitative data.
- Relevance and accuracy of information presented.
- Creativity in conveying complex concepts visually.
- Inclusion of innovative solutions and mitigation strategies.
- Overall impact and ability to engage the audience.

General Notes

Students on SCX8000 will be co-taught with the ten credit version of this module SCX8001 in semester two. Both cohorts will engage with materials making up the four module topics. Each topic will be visited in semester one and in semester two. In semester one the twenty credit cohort will collaborate to define a challenge area. Students on the ten credit module will join them to bring their additional disciplinary perspectives to the project work, generating impactful approaches to these challenges.