Course Development: Sustainability
James Moran, Senior Lecturer, 25/01/2023
Sustainable Development Goals
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) comprise a collection of 17 internationally agreed goals to achieve a more sustainable future for everyone in the world. The goals are not just about environmental issues but also focus on economic and social issues.
The University of Westminster is committed to contributing to the achievement of the goals, not just in its operational activities (estates, energy management, waste management, procurement etc.), but also in its academic activities including education and research. We therefore have an obligation to consider how our courses can help students to develop the competencies and values to pursue a world that recognises the interdependence of environmental integrity, social justice and economic prosperity. The University’s ‘Change for Good’ blog contains helpful advice on contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Education for Sustainable Development
An excellent guidance document published jointly by Advance HE and the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education provides practical advice on how students’ knowledge, skills and understanding of sustainable development can be embedded in the curriculum. The document, entitled Education for Sustainable Development Guidance, is aimed specifically at staff involved in curriculum design , delivery and review.
The role of higher education in creating a sustainable future is presented in the following terms:
Supporting students and staff to develop the knowledge, competencies and ability to pursue sustainable visions of the future.
Supporting students and staff to appreciate the complexity of our world, the ‘wicked problems’ that continuously emerge, and how they can personally and professionally contribute to positive change.
Challenging, supporting and enabling students and staff to co-design solutions and drive change for sustainability
From a course development perspective the guidance is particularly helpful in identifying the key competencies for sustainability and highlighting how learning outcomes can be aligned with those competencies.
