Module: Sustainable Development & Health

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Sustainable Development & Health
Module Code	HEA1026 (ITS: NS137)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module examines health inequities, that is why, and to what extent, people's access to the things that keep them healthy, access to healthcare and health outcomes vary across the world. We also examine why sustainable development is important for improving people's health as well as our planetary health, focusing on climate justice and action.

Learning Outcomes

1. Debate the idea of health inequity, and how it relates to sustainable development and planetary health.
2. Explore how unequal distribution of resources affect health and sustainability.
3. Examine individual and collective responses to health inequities and sustainability.
4. Demonstrate ability to investigate and apply knowledge while collaboratively working towards potential solution(s) on the specific sustainable development challenges.
5. Reflect on challenges in sustainable development.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Independent Study	101	Reading, work on assignments.
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11240	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Anne Matthews	Module Teacher	Neil Marshall

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Details of all assignments will be available on Loop at the start of semester.	100%	As required

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Sustainable development
Sustainable development; the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); health determinants; unequal access to resources for health. Causes, consequences of and responses to challenges affecting health and sustainability.

Resources for health
Water, land, environment, clean air, energy sources, food, healthcare resources.

Responses to health inequities
Mobilising personal, community and global resources for health and sustainability.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Lyla Mehta (Editor): 0, The Limits to Scarcity: Contesting the Politics of Allocation, 978-1844075423

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None