Sustainable Development
This summer study course is offered by the School of Geography and Sustainable Development, which prides itself in its unique, interdisciplinary flagship programme in sustainable development (SD).
You will be able to gain an overview of the key debates and research interests of our School and will have the opportunity to explore and critically discuss some of the principles and practices associated with sustainable development. Like our degree programmes in sustainable development, our summer study course is innovative, interdisciplinary, and dynamic. You will be able to explore different scientific and conceptual approaches to sustainability, and discuss and reflect on societal values and core themes such as justice and security, while also actively engaging with tools of implementation.
We will introduce you to a range of disciplines and skills associated with SD research and practice and, towards the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to design and develop a small group project on a SD theme of your choice. This course encourages you to look beyond the UN Sustainable Development Goals and actively consider how the goals can be pursued and implemented in practical and equitable ways.
Subject content
The course draws on our interdisciplinary undergraduate programme, with contributions from a wide range of disciplines – both physical and human geography, political science, sociology, and environmental management – exploring a broad range of topics and illustrative case studies.
Topic examples
- Air pollution, health and social inequality
- Politics, governance and serious games
- Ecological surveying
- Addressing poverty, inequality and conflict induced migration
- SDGs from a geo-spatial perspective using GIS
These topics are a examples based on previous years. Topics may vary slightly based on the curriculum chosen by the School in any given year.
Academic skills
Aside from the study of specific content, students will learn different research skills enabling them to collect and analyse data, and will have the opportunity to form and present convincing arguments in class and through a group project presentation.
Learning experience
Students will experience a mixture of seminars, lab work, group work and short field trips in this course. The content is taught by staff and postgraduate researchers from the School of Geography and Sustainable Development at the University of St Andrews. Further information about the School can be found on the School of Geography and Sustainable Development website.
Additional information
This is an interactive course, involving small group and hands-on learning in the form of seminars, lab work, and short fieldtrips. Students will also have the opportunity to work together in small groups to prepare and present team work on sustainable development topics of their choice.
Course outcomes
From this course, students will be well-appointed with academic and critical thinking skills to successfully transition into higher education.
Students will receive an official certificate from the University of St Andrews to confirm their successful completion of the course.
Students will also gain an expanded understanding of the issues facing our world alongside potential solutions.