One of the central features of sustainable development has been the encouragement of a participatory sustainability process. Local Agenda 21 is a significant attempt to address environmental problems at a local level and to encourage local democratic participation in policy decisions. This marks a radical departure from current political practices and from discourses directed by `experts? who have demonstrated little interest or ability in making those discourses more readily understandable. This module builds on knowledge of the basics of sustainable development and approaches the issues of education and participation in the sustainability process. You will study a number of case studies in which aspects of gender, age, class and ethnicity and their relationship to participatory involvement in sustainable development are highlighted. To this end, you will develop a critical understanding of specific participatory techniques such as citizen juries, focus groups, consensus conferences and stakeholder panels.

8 hours workshop
142 hours independent study

You will attend a workshop at which you will be introduced to the module content and some of the practicalities of sustainability education and participation. The workshop will also intriduce module themes trhough the use of video and textual resources. Over subsequent weeks you will then work through self-instructional course material providing a structure for reading key texts and papers and specifying tasks to be completed. This work will be undertaken on an individual basis but at various points you will be expected to interact and share material with othe students in a designated learning group.

A. An essay (2500 words). (1,2)
B. A critical evaluation of local participatory initiatives (1000 words). (2,3)

Pass criteria
You will demonstrate a sound awareness and understanding of the subject matter. Assignments are expressed reasonably and coherently. Work is academically sound, evidencing focussed observations and acknowledging key questions. There is evidence of sound reading and thorough critical analysis of the available literature.

Distinction criteria
You will demonstrate an excellent awareness and understanding of the subject matter. Assignments are well argued and excellently organized. Work is academically excellent, evidencing perceptiveness, insight and demonstrating creativity and originality. There is evidence of excellent reading, systematic review and thorough critical meta-analysis of the available literature.

A networked computer for accessing Blackboard, web sites and electronic journals
Course texts
Learning pack
www.environment.detr.gov.uk/sustainable/index.htm

Dalal-Clayton, B. and Bass, S. (2002) Sustainable Development Strategies: A Resource Book. International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).
Knight, B. Chigudu, H. and Tandon, R. (2002) Reviving Democracy. Citizens at the Heart of Governance. (The Commonwealth Foundation), Earthscan, London.