| CODE |
MSE5103 |
|
| TITLE |
Science Education for Sustainable Development |
|
| LEVEL |
05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course |
|
| ECTS CREDITS |
5 |
|
| DEPARTMENT |
Mathematics, Science and Technical Education |
|
| DESCRIPTION |
This study-unit will initially lay out the foundations of ESD, i.e. its principles and how they evolved to address differing conceptions and definitions of sustainable development. The primary focus of this initial analysis is to provide the tools for the analysis of science curricula and textbooks to critically evaluate how sustainable development is addressed during science lessons. Through the evaluation of case studies students will explore the various dimensions of ESD and how science education can effectively address these issues.
Study-unit Aims:
This study unit will help students to:
(a) clarify their conception of sustainable development and its implication on their notion of development;
(b) explore the interaction of environment and development and the contributions of science and technology to sustainable development;
(c) use the principles of sustainable development to critically analyse their own lifestyle and development policies; and
(e) examine and clarify their attitudes and values regarding sustainable development.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Knowledge & Understanding:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
(a) describe the concept of sustainable development (and its ecological, social and economic concerns);
(b) identify the major milestones of the evolution of education for sustainable development (ESD) and their subsequent influence on curricula (particularly science curricula);
(c) critically analyse current practices integrating ESD into the curricula; and
(d) identify common trends and challenges related to the integration of ESD principles amd themes in the science curriculum.
2. Skills:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
(a) conduct an audit of science curricula and textbooks for possible elements for the integration of ESD;
(b) apply various thinking skills for the interpretation and resolution of issues related to sustainable development; and
(c) identify underlying agendas in sustainable development discourse, particularly in issues related to science and technology.
Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:
Basic readings: (to introduce students to the principles of ESD)
• UNESCO - UNEP (1978) Intergovernmental Conference on Environmental Education. Final Report. UNESCO - Paris, France
Available from: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0003/000327/032763eo.pdf
• UNESCO - UNEP (1988) International Strategy for Action in the field of Environmental Education and Training for the 1990s. UNESCO - Paris, France
Available from: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0008/000805/080583eo.pdf
• UNESCO (1997) Declaration of Thessaloniki. International Conference Environment and Society: Education and Public Awareness for Sustainability (Thessaloniki, 8 - 12 December 1997). UNESCO-EPD-97/CONF.401/CLD.2
Available at: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0011/001177/117772Eo.pdf
• CEE (Centre for Environmental Education) (2007). Moving forward from Ahmedabad Environmental Education in the 21st Century. 4th International Conference on Environmental Education. Ahmedabad, India, 26-28 November 2007.
Available at: http://www.tbilisiplus30.org/Final Recommendations.pdf
• Wals, A. (2009) Review of Contexts and Structures for Education for Sustainable Development. UNESCO: Paris - France.
Available from: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0018/001849/184944e.pdf
Further readings will be provided by the lecturers as part of the students' seminar packs. These packs will provide students with current research papers on ESD and Science Education. |
|
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE |
Lecture and Seminar |
|
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
| Assessment Component/s |
Resit Availability |
Weighting |
| Project |
Yes |
100% |
|
|
| LECTURER/S |
Paul J. Pace
|
|
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the study-unit description above applies to the academic year 2012/3, if study-unit is available during this academic year, and may be subject to change in subsequent years.
|
19 May 2013
http://www.um.edu.mt/educ/studyunit
