PIR-20067 - Module Specification
School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

This module provides a level two introduction to some of the key historical, theoretical and practical dimensions of environmental politics and policy. In particular it aims to explore:
-The political nature of environmental problems and controversies;
-The diverse historical, political, and cultural roots of contemporary environmental problems and controversies;
-Connections between local and global environmental issues;
-Challenges posed by environmental issues to political institutions;
-Power relationships between developed and developing countries, and between social groups within political communities; and the various strategies and tactics used to bring about environmental change, such as government policy-making and regulation, corporate environmental responsibility,and social movement activism.

Emphasis is placed on the complexity of contemporary environmental issues and controversies, and on developing the skills necessary to analyse them critically, and thus respond to them effectively.
The module enables students to develop their argumentation and communication skills.
Students will be assessed on a portfolio of 4 short pieces of writing designed to develop argumentation skills (50%) as well as a research essay (50%).

This module aims to provide an introduction to some of the key historical, theoretical and practical dimensions of environmental politics and policy. In particular it aims to explore:
&· The political nature of environmental problems and controversies;
&· The diverse historical, political, and cultural roots of contemporary environmental problems and controversies;
&· Connections between local and global environmental issues;
&· Challenges posed by environmental issues to political institutions;
&· Power relationships between developed and developing countries, and between social groups within political communities; and
&· The various strategies and tactics used for bringing about environmental change, including government policy-making and regulation, corporate environmental responsibility and social movement activism.

Emphasis will be placed on the complexity of contemporary environmental issues and controversies, and on developing the skills necessary to analyse them critically, and thus respond to them effectively. The module enables students to develop their argumentation and communication skills.

Intended Learning Outcomes

distinguish between a range of perspectives on environmental issues and appreciate how environmental issues may be understood as political issues; will be achieved by assessments: 1,2
identify and explain the political dimensions of environmental issues, while understanding the particular historical, cultural and social contexts in which they arise; will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
identify and explain the range of strategies available for bringing about environmental-political change, including the policy process at different levels, corporate environmental responsibility, and social movement activism; will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
apply conceptual tools in order to analyse critically environmental problems and controversies; will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
identify and formulate effective arguments; will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
communicate effectively in writing. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2

Study hours

11 hours attendance at lectures
10 hours attendance at seminars
40 hours preparation for lectures and seminars (including doing required reading)
40 hours writing and revising portfolio assignments
4 hours preparation for class test
45 hours researching and writing research paper

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment