| Unit name | The Politics of the Environment |
|---|---|
| Unit code | POLI20018 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Parrott |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
The unit introduces students to the key debates surrounding the politics of the environment. International responses to climate change and the ecological crisis are critically assessed and evaluated, before students are introduced to key issues such as peak oil, food security and sea-level rise. Throughout the unit, case studies examples from the global North and South are utilised to analyse and assess the ways in which political actors have engaged with and organised for change around key issues related to the politics of the environment. The unit considers in depth the linkages between the environment and political, economic, social and cultural forces, and questions whether the environment should be considered as 'politics' or 'security'. The unit concludes by investigating strategies for green change and the range of actors that may be involved in these processes.
Aims:
• To provide an introduction to some of the key debates surrounding the politics of the environment.
• To provide an assessment of the significance of environmental problems and evaluate current international responses to these.
• To explore key concepts within environmental politics through case study examples.
• To consider strategies for green change.
• To highlight the linkages between environmental issues and political, economic, social and cultural forces and encourage an interest in and critical understanding of the politics of the environment.
On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:
• Show awareness of the key debates and actors that influence the politics of the environment.
• Critically evaluate responses to different environmental problems.
• Demonstrate understanding of the complexity of the relationship between the environment, economics, politics and socio-cultural factors.
• Utilise different conceptual frameworks to explore the relationship between human activity and its environmental consequences.
• Develop skills in critical discussion and writing articulately, concisely and persuasively.
The unit will be taught through blended learning methods, including a mix of synchronous and asynchronous teaching activities
Summative Assessment: 3000 essay (100%)
The essay assesses all learning outcomes.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. POLI20018).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
