Global citizenship: living with the big picture
Module YSE-1404
Level 1, 20 credit, Semester 1
This is a new interdisciplinary module taught by experts in global issues and
sustainable development from across the university. It is suitable for all
students.
Aims: to explore the relevance of the global dimension in our lives.
Where? Room S15, second floor, School of Lifelong Learning
When? Semester 1, Tuesdays and Thursdays 5-6 pm
What will we do?
 reflect on our own role as global citizens
 explore a number of current major global issues such as climate
change, poverty, trade rules, migration, conflict and terrorism;
 gain an understanding of the social, economic, political and
environmental dimensions of global issues and of the complex links
between them;
 critically analyse a major contemporary issue.
Assessment
 A book review of 1,000 words (20%)
 Group research and presentation on a major global issue (20%)
 Essay of approximately 2,000 words.
Mode of delivery
 One 1 hour lecture and one 1hour workshop each week for 12 weeks.
 Lectures in English, with at least one in Welsh with translation
facilities. Others may be offered in both languages if numbers permit.
 Workshops offered in both languages.
 Blackboard materials in English and Welsh.
 Assignments may be submitted in either language.
Content and contributors
Focus Semester 1
1. The meaning of global citizenship. The challenges for the
21st century
What are the big issues?
a. Challenges in the natural world: e.g. the finite
biosphere, clean water, climate change, disease
b. Challenges in the moral and political world: economic
globalisation, trade, poverty, rich world-poor world,
corruption, conflict
What is our role?: Are we global citizens? (in workshop)
Identity; Values and perceptions; Rights and responsibilities?
2. Continuous change in a finite biosphere
This will cover the fundamental aspect of biospheric function elemental recycling, set against a continuous background of
major biological, chemical and physical changes since the
biosphere came into existence ~3.5 billion years ago
3. Economic and Political Globalisation
International financial bodies,
Consumerism,
Rich world, poor world (c.f. natural resources)
Debt, Trade rules, Ethics
4. Cultural globalisation
Role of Technology and global communications
Access/Inequality of access
Cultural globalisation, clash of cultures, faiths, languages
5. Who holds the power?
International institutions, UN etc, multinationals
Corruption
6. Poverty
What does poverty mean?
Measures and indicators
Causes and links
7. Climate change
Increasing Energy needs, Dependence on fossil fuels
Climate change and Global warming, Ozone
Impacts - local and global
8. 'Sustainable living - measuring human impact' (in Welsh
with translation facilities)
What is sustainable development?
Concept of Ecological footprint
Calculating footprints (in workshop)
9. People on the move
Refugees, asylum seekers, economic migrants
10. Global Environmental, social and cultural debt;
impacts on development, southern perspectives etc
When is ‘natural’ natural ( disasters);
Is science and technology the answer?
11. Global Conflict and terrorism
Drivers
12. Bringing it all together
Student presentations
Week
3.10.06
lecture
workshop
5.10.06
10.10.06
workshop
12.10.06
17.10.06
workshop
19.12.06
24.10.06
workshop
26.12.06
31.10.06
workshop
2/11/06
7.11.06
workshop
9/11/06
14.11.06
workshop
16.11.06
21.11.06
workshop
23.11.06
28.11.06
workshop
30.11.06
5.12.06
workshop
7.12.06
12.12.06
workshop
14.12.06
9.1.07
workshop
11.1.07
Tutors
Dr. D. Sullivan
(School of
Lifelong
Learning);
S. Bennell
(World
Education
Centre)
Dr. M. Lock,
(School of
Biological
Sciences)
S. Williams,
(School of
Lifelong
Learning)
Dr. D. Sullivan
(School of
Lifelong
Learning)
Shan Ashton
(School of
Lifelong
Learning)
Shan Ashton
(School of
Lifelong
Learning)
Dr. Tom
Rippeth
(School of
Ocean
Sciences)
Dr. E. Young
(CAZ–Natural
Resources)
B. Ambrose-Oji
(CAZ–Natural
Resources)
Dr. R. Brook
(School of the
Environment &
Natural
Resources)
Dr. D. Sullivan
(School of
Lifelong
Learning)
Dr. D. Sullivan
S. Bennell