Sustainability Leadership
Master of Science
Sonraí an Chúrsa
Course Code | GA_SUSLC_V09 |
---|---|
Céim | 9 |
Fad ama | 18 months |
Creidmheasanna | 90 |
Modh Seachadta | Blended |
Suímh campais | Mayo |
Modh Seachadta | Páirtaimseartha |
Forbhreathnú Cúrsa
MSc in Sustainability Leadership has been developed by a cross disciplinary team in the context of the global climate and biodiversity crisis and the imminent need for organisations to respond to this. The overall aim of this programme is to provide a critical understanding of the complex social, economic, and environmental challenges facing society and the interrelatedness of these challenges. The programme aims to develop strategic, critical and systems thinking competencies in leaders to embed sustainability and into organisational practices and decisions. It will focus on the knowledge, skills, and competencies specific to sustainability leadership and facilitate integration with the professional context of the individual student.
Sonraí an Chúrsa
Bliain 1
Seimeastar | Sonraí an Mhodúil | Creidmheasanna | Éigeantach / Roghnach |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
Understanding the Sustainability ChallengeIn the context of unfolding climate breakdown, with the socio-political implications of this becoming more apparent, this module sets out to examine the concept of 'sustainability'. Although the concept is a central value in the United Nations sustainable development goals and in many countries' policy frameworks, the claim underlying the concept has been subject to critical analysis for some time. The module addresses a number of questions. Is sustainability, as currently envisaged, compatible with economic growth and development? Is any growth justifiable given the contemporary climate and habitat crises, with their attendant human displacement issues? Is it possible to reconcile ecological concerns with social justice or principles of equality? Is the only truly sustainable position a measured human withdrawal from the natural world in favour of 're-wilding' or regeneration? How truly sustainable is 'sustainable development' if it is predicated on further extraction of resources and the expansion of a growth-led consumer economy, however modest this may purport to be? The 'Green economy' itself requires vast resources to be implemented. The module seeks to involve students in thinking their way through these and other critical questions. Torthaí Foghlama 1. Critically articulate the ecological, economic and social challenges of the 21st century 2. Demonstrate an ability to critically applythe sustainability concept, particularly encompassingits historical origins and contemporary expressions 3. Analyse the critiques of sustainability with particular reference to anti-colonial, gender, and indigenous perspectives, socio-ecological frameworks, and contemporary political theory. 4. Engage with imagining responses to the ecological and social crises of the 21st century grounded on contemporary theory in the social and physical sciences. |
10 | Mandatory |
1 |
Assessing the ImpactThe basis of sustainability from a business perspective is reported as the triple bottom line, in the hope of addressing the three Es / Ps. However, when one critically examines this model each of the Es, in most business contexts component has an equal waiting which fails to realise the nested nature and complexity of the systems. Within this module students will be introduced to the wide range of impacts that current economic and development strategies are having on the environment, society and the economy. The module initially focuses on understanding the impacts of existing business models in a holistic way – from the social, economic and environmental perspectives. Initially the module seeks to create a critical awareness of these impacts and of existing metrics and reporting in the business community and in wider society. There is a critique of the value, usefulness and role of the exiting metrics. Based this critique, students are challenged to scope and explore the impacts of business on the broader ecosystem and the opportunities for developing new metrics and explore other ways of reporting that acknowledge the primacy of environment and society over economy. This re-imaging exercises will require innovation and explore emerging practices in addition to encouraging creativity of students in addressing means of adapting and developing metrics that are a true measure of the triple bottom line. Torthaí Foghlama 1. Assess an organisations environmental impact in terms of existing energy usage, CO2 emissions, water usage, resource requirements and efficiency, waste generation andmanagement (includingopportunities for engaging circular economy principles) and biodiversity. 2. Identify and evaluate the broader range of ecosystem impacts that an organisation / operation has 3. Be familiar with national and international environmental legislation,policies and targets for a specific sector 4. Critically evaluate existing climate change, sustainabilitymetrics and reporting protocols and be innovative in proposing other potential metrics. 5. Analyse organisational impact metrics and prepare a report which includes a strategic mitigation plan |
10 | Mandatory |
1 |
Sustainability Leadership and ChangeThis module examines the role, importance and impact of effective leadership in the transformation required to integrate sustainability into organisations. Students will gain an insight into their own leadership style and will critically evaluate the potential of successful leadership to inspire, motivate and manage others, to address systems and norms in driving a sustainability vision and deliver on organisational goals. There will be a focus on the role of values at individual and organisation level, the complexity of the interconnected nature of social, environmental and economic challenges and sensitivity to context. Torthaí Foghlama 1. Critically appraise theories of leadership and the principles of sustainability leadership. 2. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the process of change and the skills needed to lead and manage others insustainability change. 3. Apply leadership and collaborative skills to the engagement of internal and external stakeholders on sustainability initiativies. 4. Critically analyse the role of leadership in creating and communicating sustainability vision, instilling a culture of trust and integrating with organisational goals. 5. Engage inongoing critical reflection on the effectiveness of his/herown leadership. |
10 | Mandatory |
2 |
Strategic Management for SustainabilityThe module aims to develop a number of key competencies for sustainability; strategic competency, systems thinking and anticipatory competency. The module is focused on understanding the implications of existing business models in a holistic way – the social, economic and environmental perspectives. The module seeks to create a critical awareness of the sustainability challenges and integrate strategic management models with their organisational/business context. Students will be equipped to develop a sustainability strategy for their organisation, to engage with internal and external stakeholders and to identify the systems and behavioural requirements in organisation for sustainability. Torthaí Foghlama 1. Demonstrate a critical and contextualised awareness of the global sustainability challenges; 2. Criticallyassess an organisational business model from anenvironmental, social and economic perspectives; 3. Design a stakeholder engagement strategy addressing sustainability related challenges and develop anappropriate implementation plan; 4. Employ systems and futures thinking to develop an organisational sustainabilityvision and strategy; 5. Engage in ongoing critical self-reflection on their values, assumptions and actions in responsible strategic management. |
10 | Mandatory |
2 |
Governance for SustainabilityAs organisations environmental impact comes under greater scrutiny by global financial, regulatory, and societal stakeholders, it is imperative to consider the role of corporate governance as a tool for driving environmental sustainability. This module aims to provide students with an in-depth exposure to key aspects of governance including conceptual, legal and regulatory frameworks. Students will also consider systems and practices in Ireland and internationally and emerging developments in the area of governance for environmental sustainability. Torthaí Foghlama 1. critically evaluate governance conceptual frameworks and models with particular focus on current problems such as environmental sustainability. 2. articulate governance ideas, insights and analysis to peers and other audiences using a variety of media. 3. apply professional judgements informed by governance concepts to environmental sustainability challenges. 4. critique, draw conclusions and offer recommendations to order to leadgovernance changes that aim tomake the organisation more sustainable over time. 5. evince a critical awareness of the evolving governance environment, current issues and practices and future directions around environment, sustainability society and economics. |
10 | Mandatory |
2 |
Critical Thinking and Decision Making (Sustainability)The overall aim of this module is to develop students' understanding of and capacity for critical thinking, creative thinking and problem-solving. The module is focused on creating the ability to deduce and interpret information, recognize assumptions, draw inferences, evaluate arguments, exercise critical judgment in decision making and generate an active open-minded thinker. The module seeks to create a critical awareness of the fallacies in arguments and the cognitive biases in decision making. Torthaí Foghlama 1. Demonstrate an understanding of critical thinking as used in a range of contexts ; |
10 | Mandatory |
Bliain 2
Seimeastar | Sonraí an Mhodúil | Creidmheasanna | Éigeantach / Roghnach |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
Sustainability ProjectThis module is a capstone module on the Master's in Business Sustainability Leadership and is designed to integrate the learning from the modules on the programme and equip the student to complete a sustainability analysis of their organisation and develop organisational mechanisms to implement and report on sustainability interventions. The aim of the module is to integrate the students' wider contextual analysis, impact assessment, strategic planning and assessment of behavioural norms to provide an action plan and report on sustainability. Torthaí Foghlama 1. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the global sustainable development challenges in the context of an organisational setting; 2. Critically assess materiality of sustainability-related issues contextualised to anorganisation; 3. Map and critically evaluate an organisation in the context of theUN Sustainable Development Goals framework. 4. Analyse the impact of an organisationin terms of its social, environmental and economic sustainability metrics; 5. Design an impactmitigation strategy in line with international sustainability reporting standards. |
30 | Mandatory |
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Riachtanais Iontrála
Applicants must hold a level 8 Bachelor (Hons) degree with a minimum grade classification of H2.2 or equivalent. Given the cross disciplinary nature of the programme, applicants may be from a range of disciplines. It is expected that applicants will have experience in an organisational environment and will be in a position to lead a sustainability related change.
The programme is delivered with monthly workshops and enables flexibility. Each module will have directed e-learning between workshops, approximately 10-12 hours per week. This may vary in accordance with students’ prior knowledge and experience.
This programme has 100% continuous assessment.
The programme delivery is designed to meet the needs of part-time students and will be delivered in a blended mode with 4 residential workshops per semester at ATU Mayo Campus, supported by the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) in between workshops. The programme fee includes the residential element and facilities integration of learning and group work.
Further Information
Cé Ba Chóir Iarratas a Dhéanamh?
This programme is suitable for those in a position with the capacity to lead sustainability related initiatives in their organisations or to lead specific sustainability projects.
Eolas Teagmhála
Dr Deidre Garvey
Environmental Humanities & Social Sciences