Sustainable Development MA (Hons)

Sustainable development refers to the challenges involved in reducing global inequalities while also reducing threats to the planets systems from industrialised production and consumption. <br/><br/>But what sustainable development do we have today? What is its history, how has it developed this way, and what are its possible futures? <br/><br/>The social sciences aim to offer insight on the underlying causes of the challenges of our time, including: <br/><br/><br/>* social <br/><br/><br/>* political <br/><br/><br/>* economic <br/><br/><br/>* technological <br/><br/><br/>* cultural <br/><br/><br/>Understanding the origin of these problems can help us adapt and transform, leading to a more sustainable future. This is especially important as we seek to expand environmental care in relation to: <br/><br/><br/>* climate stability <br/><br/><br/>* biodiversity <br/><br/><br/>* the renewal of natural resources <br/><br/><br/>This multidisciplinary programme addresses sustainable development (as an interrelated global and local issue) to examine: <br/><br/><br/>* how societies organise social, economic and political activity <br/><br/><br/>* the social and environmental consequences of current ways of living <br/><br/><br/>* how societies relate to the natural world <br/><br/><br/>* the relationship between current and future generations <br/><br/><br/>* patterns of development <br/><br/><br/>* opportunities for social, political, economic and technological change <br/><br/><br/>Throughout our programme we address many different issues and concepts, including but not limited to: <br/><br/><br/>* social and environmental justice <br/><br/><br/>* sustainable consumption <br/><br/><br/>* economic structures <br/><br/><br/>* food systems <br/><br/><br/>* energy technologies and policies <br/><br/><br/>* governance and democracy <br/><br/><br/>**How the programme works**<br/><br/>Students will take core courses in sustainable development alongside core courses in another chosen disciplinary pathway subject. You will also have access to a wide range of optional courses to complement and broaden your learning.<br/><br/>Our programme is primarily based on social science, although there are options for students wishing to pursue natural scientific perspectives on sustainable development. These are not compulsory.