Module manager: Paul Chatterton
Email: p.chatterton@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is approved as a discovery module
This module explores concepts, practices, histories and case studies of creating alternative futures. It takes a critical look at the capitalist world as it is and starts by exploring how our contemporary world can be transformed and how obstacles to change can be overcome. This module overall takes a positive and hopeful stance towards the future and seeks to understand how community and grassroots innovation can transform the future of the places where we live. The module is based around thematic blocks each with lectures that deliver core content, and supporting seminars where students interrogate ideas in teams. Parts of the module will involve a “flipped learning” style, with students reviewing materials and readings in advance of facilitated group sessions. Students will prepare for sessions individually, but will work in a team in some workshop sessions to deepen understanding and apply high-level concepts to real-world practice.
This module aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to:
1. display an informed understanding of processes of ecological, social and political change at local scales;
2. engage with different future scenarios for our world;
3. demonstrate an awareness of the multi-faceted nature of social change and future scenarios and alternatives in practice;
4. use academic, journalistic and electronic information sources to inform their critical analysis of processes of change.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Apply themes relevant to climate, ecological and social change such as degrowth, decolonisation, anthropocentrism, ecofeminism, and others
2. Assess and present real world case study alternatives from different geographical contexts
3. Discuss module themes at a high level in peer group setting
4. articulate, in written and oral form, the significance and practicalities of module themes in relation to creating real-world change and alternatives
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
Cognitive skills
1. Assessment and critical evaluation of the merits of contrasting theories, explanations, policies
2. Developing reasoned arguments
Practical/professional skills
3. Plan, design, execute and report research
4. Relate concepts to practice through critical analysis.
Key skills
5. Communicate effectively (in writing, verbally and through graphical presentations)
6. Successful team working
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Seminar | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Seminar | 6 | 2 | 12 |
| Private study hours | 172 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 28 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
The bi-weekly MCQs test knowledge and provide formative feedback
The MCQs test knowledge and provide formative feedback
Planning sessions for essay and group project provide direction and informal feedback
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Online Time-Limited Assessment | 10 |
| Coursework | Coursework | 70 |
| Coursework | Group work | 20 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Resit for group project is an equivalent piece of individual work
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 08/05/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team