Ever wanted to know more about the sustainability issues of the subject you study, or the industry you work in?
The S.I.T.E could help you find out more!
Subject Areas A-Z
Case Studies:
Embedding Sustainability in Curricula
Please help us enrich the Case Studies area by sending us details of initiatives to embed sustainability in curricula that you have been involved in. We will then add those details and any downloadable materials to the SITE within the case studies on the relevent subject area page.
Also, if you have used any of the SITE workshop materials, we would very much appreciate any feedback on how useful the materials were for you, along with details on how the material can be adapted for use within your subject area. It may also be helpful to future users of the site to see results of your workshop (completed mindmaps, comments, conclusions e.t.c.) as a case study for your subject area.
Examples of Case Studies Using SITE materials:
| Subject Area | Photography |
| Institution | Plymouth College of Art. |
| Description of Initiative |
This was a 2 hour lecture/workshop on the environmental impact of photography for year 1 National Diploma Photography Students. It was part of their Contextual Studies unit. First we discussed why an awareness of the environmental impact of our practice and of the industry might be important knowledge to gain. We then used the SITE workshop mindmaps to plot out what we already know, or do about the environmental impact of photography. This was done in first groups of three, then each group contributed their ideas to one collective mindmap. I then added to some of that knowledge with facts and ideas from the powerpoint display. Using the powerpoint, I then spoke about some artists and photographers addressing environmental issues in their work and facillitated discussion around the issues raised. We concluded by discussing actions that we could all take as practitioners to improve our environmental impact. |
| Conclusions/Ideas for adapting |
This same lecture could be run in any art & design curricula providing the facts, issues and artists covered relate to the appropriate art & design discipline. The workshop was run twice last year, and I found that class participation in the second one was improved by reducing the time spent on covering the facts and spending more time discussing the issues with the group; eg. do not go into detail about what RoHS regulations are. |
| Initiators | Chris Smith |
| Date Entered | 08.07.10 |
| Resources |
Examples of Case Studies of Other Sustainability Initiatives in Art & Design
| Subject Area | Photography |
| Institution | Plymouth College of Art. |
| Description of Initiative | In the first year of National Diploma Photography, we run an assignment brief called 'The Language of Advertising' in which they learn both the practical studio skills involved in advertising photography, and critical analysis skills for deconstructing advertising. During this assignment we examine and critique the ethics of consumerism; issues raised include fair trade, animal rights, body image, beauty myths, environmental impacts and many more. Part of the assignment involves the students creating their own 'subvert' or 'spoof' advert which uses the skills and 'language' of advertising to challenge consumer culture. Having critiqued advertising and consumer culture Students then have the option of creating either a straight 'advert' style image or a 'subvert' of their own choosing for the final image submission. |
| Conclusions/Ideas for adapting |
The subvert exercise works very well as a short, fun exercise, with students enjoying the chance to express their own opinions. Many students choose subvertising in their final image theme. This same excercise could work very well on Graphic Design, Media and Media studies courses. |
| Initiators | Chris Smith |
| Date entered | 08.07.10 |
| Resources |
https://www.adbusters.org/ |
