SUSTAINABILITY IN AVIATION - 2022/3

Module code: MANM508

Module Overview

This module aims to develop students' ability to evaluate principles of sustainability as applied to the aviation sector. In this module, students will explore the relationship between aviation and emergent social and environmental issues. Environmental implications for the aviation sector are dissected into three key areas: governance, technological advancements and consumer perspectives. Socio-cultural issues ranging from diversity to hypermobility will also be examined.

This module is relevant to individuals interested in working within the aviation sector, as well as those working alongside aviation industry bodies. The module will provide students with a holistic perspective of aviation and sustainability, and equip students with the skills to critically evaluate future pathways for the aviation sector.

Module provider

Hospitality & Tourism Management

Module Leader

COCOLAS Nicole (Hosp & Tour)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 117

Lecture Hours: 22

Seminar Hours: 11

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Locating aviation within sustainability and climate change debates

Implications of hypermobility

Carbon Offsetting in aviation

New technologies in aviation

International aviation governance and initiatives

Equality, diversity and inclusion in the aviation sector

Policy responses to aviation emissions

Consumer perspectives on the carbon footprint of air travel

The role of aviation in access, justice and peace Climate change risk

Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Oral exam or presentation Group Presentation 40
Coursework Individual Assignment 60

Alternative Assessment

If an individual fails the group presentation, an individual assignment of 2000 words will instead be required.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their critical understanding of key environmental and socio-cultural issues facing the aviation industry. The assessment is designed to ensure students apply their practical knowledge and analytical skills developed through the course to industry-relevant contexts.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

Group presentation: Students are required to consider industry perspectives of sustainability issues facing the sector, and present recommendations for how the chosen issue can be addressed. Students should draw on the theoretical concepts and case studies presented throughout the module's teaching materials.

Individual Assignment (3,000 words): Students will apply the concepts learned in class in a critical essay, reflecting on either a socio-cultural or environmental issue from a consumer or governance perspective. Students will need to conduct independent research to demonstrate a thorough understanding of their chosen issue beyond the material presented in class.

Formative assessment and feedback:

Unmarked formative feedback will be provided to students through a range of approaches, including question and answer sessions in class and discussions on SurreyLearn.

Module aims

  • Develop knowledge of the theoretical underpinnings of sustainability in the context of aviation
  • Dissect and analyse current socio-cultural implications of aviation
  • Critically evaluate the relationship between aviation and the environment
  • Apply theoretical understanding of sustainability to explore potential future pathways for the aviation industry

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 Develop a critical understanding of sustainability issues facing the aviation sector KT
002 Analyse relevant socio-cultural issues facing the air travel sector CKT
003 Demonstrate an understanding of new technologies within aviation that address emissions CKP
004 Identify major challenges for aviation to meet global carbon reduction goals CT
005 Critically evaluate the role of sector-wide policies and initiatives CPT
006 Analyse emerging consumer perspectives of hypermobility CK

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

Encourage students to think critically about the aviation sector from a sustainability perspective

Explore gaps between theory and practice in sustainability in aviation

Provide opportunities to apply sustainability principles to define emergent strategies and new pathways for aviation

Provide opportunities for the students to explore and analyse relevant issues individually and in collaboration with peers, lecturers and visiting speakers

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MANM508

Other information

This module appears in the Air Transport Management MSc Programme

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Air Transport Management MSc 2 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2022/3 academic year.