Course Layout
Each session consists of 2 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion aiming at analysing the related topic in terms of EU values.
| Session 1 | Introduction to Sustainable Development -What is sustainability and sustainable development? -UNESCO 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development -UNESCO 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) -EU Sustainability Agenda | Module 1 |
| Session 2 | Education for Sustainable Development -The role of education to achieve SDGs -SDG 4 – Quality Education for All | Module 1 |
| Session 3 | Whole School Approach to Sustainable schools -What is a Sustainable School -Dimensions of Sustainable Schools -The role of Sustainable Schools in promoting EU values in society | Module 1 |
| Session 4 | Environmental Sustainability of the School -Sustainable waste management and recycling -Environmental activities in schools -Climate change consciousness -Use of eco-friendly products | Module 2 |
| Session 5 | Sustainable School Architecture -Energy efficiency practices -Indoor environmental quality -Green infrastructure | Module 2 |
| Session 6 | The European Sustainability Competence Framework (Greencomp) -European Qualifications Framework -European Green Deal Communication -EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy | Module 2 |
| Session 7 | Economic Sustainability of the School -Cost effectiveness in schools -Effective budget management -Fundraising and alumni engagement | Module 3 |
| Session 8 | The Importance of Infrastructure and Technology in Sustainable Schools -Technology leadership in the classroom and school -Optimizing operational processes regarding technology in schools | Module 3 |
| Session 9 | Europe’s Digital Decade to Achieve Competitive and Sustainable Economies -Digital Europe Programme -Digital Education Action Plan (2021-2027) | Module 3 |
| Session 10 | Socio-Cultural Sustainability of the School -Equitable access to education -Community engagement and partnerships -Civic education and social responsibility | Module 4 |
| Session 11 | Cultural and Extracurricular Activities to Ensure Sustainable School Culture -Development of social skills and personal growth in school -Well-being and mental health support for students and staff -Celebration of achievements | Module 4 |
| Session 12 | EU Inclusion and Diversity Strategy -Definition of eight obstacles and barriers outlined in Erasmus+ Diversity Strategy -Inclusion and Management of Diversities in EU values | Module 4 |
| Session 13 | Administrative Sustainability of the School -Strategic planning towards education for sustainable development -Compliance to educational regulations and accountability -Communication and collaboration | Module 5 |
| Session 14 | Effective Leadership and Governance for Sustainability -Commitment to continuous improvement in school organization -Change management -Being learning organizations | Module 5 |
| Session 15 | EU Youth Policy Documents -EU Youth Strategy -EU Youth Goals | Module 5 |
The general objective of this course is to provide students with knowledge, skills and mindset on European Union’s values, strategies and policies on Sustainable Development through a solid understanding of the importance of Sustainable Schools to achieve European Sustainability Agenda.
Regarding this general objective, the course has five modules with specific objectives:
-Module one aims to provide a general introduction to Sustainable Development and basic knowledge of UNESCO’s and EU’s sustainable development goals; as well as the role of Sustainable Schools in achieving SDG’s and promoting EU values in society.
-Module two aims to provide detailed knowledge about “environmental sustainability of the school organization” including sustainable waste management and recycling, environmental activities in schools, climate change consciousness and the use of eco-friendly products; about “sustainable school architecture” including energy efficiency practices, indoor environmental quality and green infrastructure; and about “The European Sustainability Competence Framework (Greencomp)” including European Qualifications Framework, European Green Deal Communication, EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy.
-Module three aims to provide detailed knowledge about “economic sustainability of the school” including cost effectiveness in schools, effective budget management, fundraising and alumni engagement; about “the importance of infrastructure and technology in sustainable schools” including technology leadership in the classroom and school, and optimizing operational processes regarding technology in schools; and about “Europe’s Digital Decade to achieve competitive and sustainable economies” including Digital Europe Programme and Digital Education Action Plan (2021-2027).
-Module four aims to provide detailed knowledge about “socio-cultural sustainability of the school” including equitable access to education, community engagement and partnerships, civic education and social responsibility; about “cultural and extracurricular activities to ensure sustainable school culture” including development of social skills and personal growth in school, well-being and mental health support for students and staff, celebration of achievements; and about “EU Inclusion and Diversity Strategy” including the definition of eight obstacles and barriers outlined in Erasmus+ Diversity Strategy and inclusion and management of diversities in EU values.
-Module five aims to provide detailed knowledge about “administrative sustainability of the school” including strategic planning towards education for sustainable development, compliance to educational regulations and accountability, communication and collaboration; about “effective leadership and governance for sustainability” including commitment to continuous improvement in school organization, change management and being learning organizations; and about “EU youth policy documents” including EU Youth Strategy and EU Youth Goals.
Key Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to;
-Define and explain the core values of the European Union, such as sustainability, respect for human dignity, democracy, equality, the rule of law and analyze how these values are reflected in EU policies and initiatives.
-Examine the role of schools in promoting sustainable development and analyze how schools contribute to the realization of EU values through sustainable practices.
-Understand the importance of policy advocacy for sustainable schools at local, national, and EU levels and develop communication and awareness strategies to promote sustainability within school communities.
-Encourage critical thinking skills to analyze challenges and propose solutions related to sustainability and develop problem-solving skills in the context of integrating EU values into the school environment.
Learning and Teaching Methods
Presentations and lecture, classroom discussion, essays, simulation, argumentation, case studies, digital storytelling, gamification, group work, debates on EU’s Sustainability agenda and implications on educational institutions, brainstorming on the role and importance of sustainable school communities to realize EU’s SDGs, analyses of EU policy documents, flipped learning practices aiming at analysing the effects of sustainable schools on the realization of EU values.
Midterm exam will test students’ understanding of the core values of the European Union on the concept of sustainable development and its relevance to schools and education. The exam will consist of essay questions.
Writing assignment will be announced when the term starts.
Students will study in work groups to create a whole school simulation of a sustainable school considering all dimensions. In this study, students will be required to incorporate theory and practice related to the Jean Monnet Module content.
Short Quiz will have 10 questions and will be at the second half of the relevant semester.
Classroom participation will be assessed during the discussions. Discussions are totally dependent on the full and informed participation of all students which requires them to come to class prepared.
Final exam will test students’ understanding of the core concepts, mechanisms and values of the European Sustainability Agenda and the role of sustainable schools to achieve EU SDGs. The exam will consist of essay questions.
