The intensification of the globalization process is a very contentious issue which has implications for politics, economics, culture, the environment and ethics. Analyses of some of the most important challenges facing human society exemplifies many themes, including inequality; power; environmental sustainability; the links between ideology; policy and practice; and the contested nature of science.

This module uses selected challenges to expose some bizarre anomalies in our contemporary global political and economic system. While affluent consumers enjoy a quality of life unprecedented in human history, millions of others continue to eke out a pitiful existence at the margins of society, in squatter settlements and refugee camps where access to basic amenities are minimal. Increased affluence has been based on the exploitation of the earth’s resources which many argue is unsustainable.

In this module students are presented with case studies of two key countries: India and China. The recent socio-economic and political history of these two large, impactful nations will be discussed through the lens of human rights, population, food, politics and religion and the challenges they face in terms of environmental management and human development will be discussed. Then the UN Sustainable Development Goals will be introduced – their genesis, policy influence and ongoing use in development work.

You will reflect on how these different targets apply to the two case studies. Everyone will have the opportunity to choose a current global issue and explore it individually in detail in relation to one of the topic countries, whilst working with a small group to develop a country-based presentation of 3 important global challenges. This latter phase of the module will be conducted through small group tutorials to craft a joint presentation of these components and to reflect on the progress made against the SDGs.

Essay Global Challenges faced by a specified country, 60%, 1500 words.

Presentation on Global Challenges faced by specified countries will take the form of an annotated slide-set in PowerPoint/Sway (or similar) with a recorded narration and accompanying slide notes. Students will work in small groups of 2 -3. 20%, 10 minutes narrated.

A critical peer review of two other group presentations individual report. This will be uploaded into a discussion space and then each student will be required to undertake peer review of 2 other presentations which will test their reflection skills. 20%, 500 words.

This module will focus on presentation of the global challenges brief and scoping, introducing key concepts through a variety of presentation methods and leading you through a selection of interactive tasks using analytical tools to identify significant elements of globalization and uncover their potential and actual impacts on both organisations and human society.

You will undertake formative assessments during the module to help you monitor your learning and provide you and us with ongoing feedback on your progress, that helps you prepare for the summative assessment(s) during or at the end of the module.

On completion of this module, you will be able to:

1. Understand the ideological nature of globalisation and the challenges it poses for communities in diverse contexts, from the local to the global.

2. Understand the contested nature of the challenges facing communities at various scales from the local to the global.

3. Explain the key characteristics of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, their history, institutional framing and importance in global policy.

4. Research a global challenge of choice and work as part of a small group to understand its characteristics, impacts and potential mitigation strategies.

5. Express and communicate knowledge clearly and concisely.

https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/ core UN website
https://sdg-tracker.org/

UN Tracker Application and Mapping Tool

Linked-In Learning
The University Library and Learning Resources - books and academic journals
The module VLE
Electronic data bases
Learning support materials
Online Tools, Internet

Hite, K.A. and Seitz, J.L (2015) Global Issues 5th edition [Oxford, Wiley-Blackwell]
Harris, F. (2012) Global Environmental Issues 2nd Edition [Oxford, Wiley-Blackwell]
Middleton, N. (2018) The Global Casino: An Introduction to Environmental Issues 5th Edition [Abingdon: Routledge]
Vale, B., & Vale, R., (Eds.) (2013) Living within a fair share ecological footprint. [Abingdon: Routledge]

Formative assessment opportunities will occur during the tutorial component of this module when students are working in small groups to advance their summative assessment 1. Feedback will be given on the draft presentation before submission.

Assessment 1: Group Powerpoint with narration & notes (80%). This will take the form of an annotated slide-set in powerpoint / SWAY/ Precis (or similar) with a recorded narration and accompanying slide notes. Students will work in small groups of focusing on their chosen case study country (either China or India). Each student in the group will then choose a different global issue of relevance to the UN SDGs and be responsible for that component of the group presentation. This assessment will map to LOs 1,2 and 3.

Assessment 2: Individual Peer reviews of 2 other presentations (20%) All of the contributed Assessment 1 group presentations, will then be uploaded into a discussion space and then each student will be required to undertake a structured peer review of 2 other presentations (2 x 250 words) which will test their reflection and communication skills (LO 4).

(a) 4 x 1.5 hour sessions (6 hours) to present the global challenge brief and scoping.
(b) 6 small group seminars to progress case study evidence (12 x 2 hours = 24 hours)
(c) Independent Research and Learning (82 hours) from core texts / journal papers and the use of web-based materials to gather data to develop a detailed knowledge of a chosen global challenges.
(d) Assessment Preparation (88 hours) to research, write and narrate a slide-set/audio presentation and undertake peer review of two other student presentations.

Students are presented with case studies of two key countries (India and China) with respect to their geo-political history, environment and development path. The recent socio-economic and political history of these two large, impactful nations will be discussed through the lens of human rights, population, food, politics and religion and the challenges they face in terms of environmental management and human development will be discussed. Then the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals will be introduced – their genesis, policy influence and ongoing use in development work. Students will reflect on how these different targets apply to the two case studies. Everyone will have the opportunity to choose a current global issue and explore it individually in detail in relation to one of the topic countries, whilst working with a small group to develop a country-based presentation of 3 important global challenges. This latter phase of the module will be conducted through small group tutorials to craft a joint presentation of these components and to reflect on the progress made against the SDGs. In the final stages, participants will have the opportunity to learn from their peers by undertaking a constructive evaluation of two other presentations.

Module Learning Outcome
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the key characteristics of the United Nation(UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their history, and importance in global policy.

University Learning Outcome
Learning Knowledge & Understanding

Module Learning Outcome
2. Research a global challenge of choice and work as part of a small group to understand its characteristics, impacts and potential mitigation strategies.

University Learning Outcome
Enquiry Analysis Communication

Module Learning Outcome
3. Communicate knowledge clearly about a sustainable development case study.

University Learning Outcome
Communication

Module Learning Outcome
4. Undertake a critical and constructive peer review of case study using an existing evaluation framework.

University Learning Outcome
Reflection

https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/ core UN website
https://sdg-tracker.org/ UN Tracker Application and Mapping Tool
High quality VLE
High quality small group teaching space with usual audio-visual facilities
Library facilities both online and physical.
LinkedIn Learning

Many of the challenges facing humankind are complex: poverty, malnutrition, gender equality, decarbonisation, pollution. All require multi-discipline approaches. This module uses an exciting range of socio-economic and environmental topics such as plastic pollution, gender LBQT equality, industrialisation of farming, biodiversity loss, desertification to demonstrate how sustainable development can benefit both people and the planet. We use case studies (China, India) to explore how the UN Sustainable Development Goals can be enacted. You get to explore a challenge of particular interest to you and work with your peers to present your ideas and to reflect on progress.