Global Mental Health MSc/PgDip/PgCert
Religions, Cultures, and Environmental Crises TRS5120
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Critical Studies
- Credits: 20
- Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
- Typically Offered: Semester 1
- Available to Visiting Students: Yes
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
The course examines religion as a system of social organisation in relation to environmental crises, in particular, those related to climate change and unsustainable development. The course introduces students to key concepts in research on adaptation to climate change, sustainable development, and disaster risk reduction from the perspective of religious studies frameworks of analysis.
Timetable
10 x 2 hour seminars
Excluded Courses
None
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
The standard assessments for this course are:
■ 1 report of 1000 words - 20%
■ 10-minute presentation - 20%
■ 1 x essay of 3000 words - 60%
If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:
■ There is no alternative to the report and essay, but an extension to the deadline can be offered as reasonable adjustment (students should follow the usual process for extensions).
■ A recorded presentation as an alternative to the presentation.
Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.
Course Aims
This course aims to
■ relate religious traditions and practices to key issues in human geography
■ contextualise climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development within religious studies analytical frameworks
■ conceptualise the term local and indigenous knowledge systems (LINKS) in concrete ways
■ cultivate adaptive and transformative approaches and practices across religious traditions and cultural differences
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
■ Critically evaluate sustainability and resilience in relation to religious practices (rituals, prayers, worship, festivals, etc.)
■ Appraise religiosity and religious organisation in relation to disaster response, recovery, and preparedness (e.g., congregational spaces, relief operations, inter-faith dynamics)
■ Analyse disaster myths and cultural expressions in pragmatic terms of disaster risk perception and community resilience
■ Develop pathways to integrating local and indigenous knowledge systems in bridging the gaps between technoscientific solutions and local experiences and organisational forms