Learning for a Sustainable Future (Coursera)

The course has an additional strand for those working in formal or informal education, who want to bring some of the activities and issues covered in the course into their own teaching.

You’ll learn practical ways to explore values and empower people to examine the ways in which they could take local action on global-scale problems.

Working in this way, starting from where you are within your own context, and sharing this with others throughout the course helps us all to develop a new and collective way of thinking for a sustainable future.

You’ll build your understanding of and knowledge of sustainability and the global challenges that we face and experience within our lives, as you learn from experts at the University of Edinburgh, Learning for Sustainability Scotland and other participants on the course.

By the end of the course, you’ll be more confident and ready to take steps towards a sustainable future.

What you'll learn

- Critically reflect upon understandings of the range, scope and nature of 'sustainability', and consider the role of personal values and frameworks.

- Explore the way in which systems, connections and factors such as intersectionality influence the impact of sustainability issues.

- Investigate how we might move towards climate action within our own 'spheres of influence' and examine educational approaches to a response.

Syllabus

Examining Thinking

Module 1

This week, we explore the ecological, geological, societal and historical context for our growing awareness of sustainability and the need for action.

Values and Frameworks

Module 2

This week, we reflect on the role of personal values and frameworks for thinking when moving towards action.

Systems and Connections

Module 3

This week, we will explore systems and connections.

Moving to Action

Module 4

This week, we will consider how we might move towards action within the context of our own sphere of influence.

Futures Thinking

Module 5

We consider how you may begin to think about future planning and possible actions that you may wish to take.