Philosophy and Global Sustainable Development BASc

at University of Warwick

Core modules

Teaching on this course is equally split between the GSD Department and the Philosophy Department.

In the first year, you will study core GSD modules designed to provide a critical understanding of the 'three pillars of sustainable development':

• Economic Principles of Global Sustainable Development
• Environmental Principles of Global Sustainable Development
• Social Principles of Global Sustainable Development

You will also study the core Global Sustainable Development Project module, giving you the chance to see how the principles of GSD apply to a real case affecting a local community. For the Philosophy half of the workload, you will study one core module, Introduction to Philosophy Without Logic. You will also choose from a selection of modules offered by the Philosophy Department.

In the second year, in GSD you will have the opportunity to engage with a key issue in sustainability, studying one optional core module from the following:

• Health and Sustainable Development
• Security, Sovereignty and Sustainability in the Global Food System
• Inequalities and Sustainable Development: Inclusion and Dignity for All

You will also choose optional modules with a GSD focus from within GSD or from other departments across the University. For the Philosophy half of the workload, you will choose from a selection of modules offered by the Philosophy Department.

You may choose to study abroad for part of your second year at Monash University. In Term One at Warwick, you will study an optional core GSD module, an optional module with a GSD focus, and optional module(s) offered by the Philosophy Department. The remaining study will consist of pre-approved modules at Monash University.

In the final year, you will take the core GSD Dissertation module. You will also take optional modules with a GSD focus from within or outside of the School for Cross-faculty Studies. You will choose final-year optional modules offered by the Philosophy Department.

Year One

GSD

Economic Principles of Global Sustainable Development
This module aims to introduce you to various economic concepts and perspectives related to global sustainable development. In particular, you will consider the relationship between economics and policy, and you will become familiar with the way in which economists address real-world dilemmas.

 

Environmental Principles of Global Sustainable Development
This module allows you to investigate a range of perspectives on Sustainable Development from the perspective of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary Environmental Studies. It aims to equip you with the capacity to engage in academically-grounded and critical discussion of the world’s most pressing environmental issues, as well as associated policy responses at a range of geographical scales. Furthermore, it aims to establish skills for the creation and the persuasive presentation of environmental policy to key decision makers specifically through the creation of a Policy Briefing paper and a Policy Pitch.

 

Social Principles of Global Sustainable Development
This module addresses the social and political principles of GSD. Its teaching methods range from Stimulus to Simulation in order to allow students to engage with theoretically complex concepts through practical activities. It is taught in a combination of lectures and seminars and involves group activities as well as online collaboration.

 

Global Sustainable Development Project
This module requires students to engage actively in understanding the real-life application of the theories they studied in their first year modules. The problem we investigate is sustainable transport: this is obviously a broad area of study, and one that has a wealth of qualitative and quantitative data to be examined / critiqued. The module aims to provide students with opportunities to examine the Economic, Environmental and Social arguments that have been advanced in relation to the case.

 

Philosophy
Introduction to Philosophy (without logic)
You'll have a wide-ranging introduction to philosophy, including ancient, continental, moral and political philosophy, followed by epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of mind and aesthetics, and logic. You'll learn to engage critically with different viewpoints and critically analyse and evaluate arguments central to philosophy.

 

Year Two
Health and Sustainable Development
Viable and equitable solutions in health and sustainable development require interdisciplinary and critical thinking. The first part of the module will introduce you to fundamental concepts of global health governance and health systems, and acquaint you with key global health priorities like drug resistance and mental health from the perspective of GSD. The second part of the module will focus on issues that relate to policies and behavioural change, and are also applicable beyond health, for example in areas like education or technology transfer. Alongside the module content, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your analytical skills to make independent, critical, and constructive contributions to Health and Sustainable Development.

 

or

Security, Sovereignty and Sustainability in the Global Food System
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), agreed in 2015, commit the international community to a set of 17 goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity. Of these, Goal 2 specifically aims to end hunger, end all forms of malnutrition, and ensure sustainable food production systems by 2030.

The pressing need for such initiatives is stark: we inhabit a world where at least 800 million people are chronically undernourished. The world population is projected to increase to a staggering 10 billion people by 2050, yet who will be responsible for ensuring all these mouths are fed? And can we ever produce and consume food for so many people without causing an unsustainable impact on our environment?

Food security, sustainability and sovereignty are thus crucial issues confronting the world today, and it is these issues which this module seeks to introduce and evaluate. The module is taught in collaboration with active researchers from across various disciplines at Warwick, especially those involved in the University’s Global Research Priority on Food.

 

or

Inequalities and Sustainable Development: Inclusion and Dignity for All
This module focuses on how inequalities shape our societies, economies, environments and politics. Starting with the question ‘does inequality matter?’, you'll critically reflect on the UN's decision to integrate inequalities into the Sustainable Development Agenda. You’ll then explore six different dimensions of inequalities (work, politics, environmental justice, societal discrimination, automation and globalisation, opportunities and empowerment) and gain an understanding of the complexities of these problems. Finally, you’ll appreciate the challenges faced by today’s policy makers who aim to address issues of inequalities while taking into consideration all three pillars of sustainable development.

 

Final Year

GSD Dissertation/Long Project
In this final-year module you’ll bring together all of your learning and experiences on the course – the theoretical concepts and principles and your practical know-how – in order to address a specific sustainable development problem of your own choosing. This will be a problem that concerns you most and which you’d like to tackle.

You’ll be supported by an academic supervisor to devise a suitable project and to undertake research to explore the issue, taking a transdisciplinary approach to your investigation in order to produce an original research output. This may be a concept paper, a practical project, a film production, a long essay, an advocacy campaign etc. – use your creativity!

You’ll design a strategy for disseminating your findings (for example at a conference presentation, via online publication or an article in a journal or at a public meeting that you’ve arranged). This provides you with an opportunity to get your voice heard in a forum where it matters and could have lasting impact.

 

Optional modules

Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules include:

GSD

• Managing Natural Resources
• The Energy Trilemma
• Human Rights and Social Justice in Latin America and the Caribbean
• Challenges of Climate Change
• Multilingualism and Sustainable Development
• Surviving the Apocalypse

Read more about our optional modules.Link opens in a new window

Philosophy

• Philosophy for the Real World: Knowledge, Ignorance and Bullshit
• Reason, Argument and Analysis
• Ethics
• Philosophy of Religion
• Nietzsche in Context
• The Philosophy of Terrorism and Counterterrorism
   

All applicants, regardless of their visa requirements, are required to show that their ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English is sufficiently high for them to derive full benefit from their degree course. The level of competence required depends on what type of degree you wish to study. Many applicants can demonstrate this through a satisfactory level of achievement in, for example, GCSE English Language or the English courses within the International Baccalaureate.

Applicants whose academic qualifications meet the University’s admissions requirements, but whose English language qualifications are not accepted as equivalent, may be offered a place at Warwick conditional on an acceptable English language qualification being achieved before they join the University. A number of English language tests are accepted; some of the most frequently offered ones are detailed below.

Please note that certain English tests (including IELTS and PTE) must be taken within two years and one month prior to the start of your course at Warwick. Applicants whose tests fall outside this timescale will need to retake a suitable English language test.

Applicants who require a visa to study in the UK may, depending on the circumstances, be asked to provide evidence of a secure English language test (e.g. IELTS for UKVI (Academic)), rather than an examination (such as International Baccalaureate English) due to the visa requirements set by the UK government.

 

If you are an overseas or EU student enrolling in 2022, your annual tuition fees will be as follows:

• Band 1 – £22,280 per year (classroom-based courses, including Humanities and most Social Science courses)
• Band 2 – £28,410 per year (laboratory-based courses, plus Theatre and Performance Studies, Economics, and courses provided by Warwick Business School, with exceptions)

Fees for 2023 entry have not been set. We will publish updated information here as soon as it becomes available, so please check back for updates about 2023 fee rates before you apply.

Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship 2022

We believe there should be no barrier to talent. That's why we are committed to offering a scholarship that makes it easier for gifted, ambitious international learners to pursue their academic interests at one of the UK's most prestigious universities. This new scheme will offer international fee-paying students 250 tuition fee discounts ranging from full fees to awards of £13,000 to £2,000 for the full duration of your Undergraduate degree course.

As a GSD graduate, you have a wide range of career pathways available to you. This is demonstrated by the variety of work placements that our students have completed.

GSD students have secured work placements with employers from the private, public, and third sectors. These include:

• Research institutions
• Governmental bodies
• Non-governmental organisations
• Intelligence agencies
• Housing
• Environmental consultancies

They have undertaken diverse roles such as:

• Marketing Assistant
• Sustainability Officer
• Intelligence Analyst
• Researchers