Undergraduate MUR-SUS100-2018

Introduction to Sustainable Development

Discover how sustainability has developed as a concept over the last four decades. Dig into the political economy of sustainability. Test the effectiveness of various approaches to sustainability in battling global sustainability problems.

Duration

13 weeks

Student rating

3.73

Study method

100% online

Available loans

FEE-HELP
HECS-HELP

Assessments

Subjects may require attendance

Prior study

Not required

Study terms

26 Aug 2019

This research-based university in Perth has a strong interdisciplinary focus and a reputation for outstanding teaching and ground-breaking research. With more than 22,000 students and 2,000 staff from over 90 countries, and campuses in Dubai and Singapore, Murdoch embraces free thinking, shared ideas and knowledge to make a difference, and Open Universities Australia is certainly part of that.

University ranking

Subject details

What you'll learn

On successful completion of the subject you should be able to:

demonstrate how the idea of sustainability has changed and evolved over the last four decades;
identify the key thinkers, events and publications in the history of sustainability;
critically reflect on the main approaches to sustainability today; and
engage with the contestability of the concept of sustainability.

Topics covered

- Module 1: Past approaches to sustainable development;
- Module 2: Contemporary approaches to sustainable development;
- Module 3: Contesting sustainability
Study resources
- Instructional methods
  - Blog
  - Discussion forum/Discussion Board
  - Online assignment submission
  - Podcasting/Lecture capture
  - Standard Media
  - Web links
- Online materials
  - Resources and Links

Entry requirements

No eligibility requirements

Special requirements

No special requirements

Description

This subject is a critical introduction to sustainability that traces the concept’s evolution and explores the political economy of sustainability. To this end, a range of different approaches to sustainability are introduced and compared, and analysis will be made of their respective effectiveness in addressing global sustainability problems.

Assessments

Participation (10%)
Invigilated Exam (30%)
Essay (40%)
Critical Report (20%)

Textbooks

Current study term (25 Aug 19 to 24 Nov 19)

Textbooks are not required.

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