PIR-10047: The politics of sustainability

School of Politics, International Relations & Philosophy

PIR-10047

The politics of sustainability

Co-ordinator:

Dr Sherilyn MacGregor Room: CBB2.012, Tel:33352

Teaching Team:

Mrs Paula Hughes, Mrs Julie Street, Dr Sherilyn MacGregor, Miss Laura Barcroft, Mrs Diane Mason, Dr Gavin Bailey

Lecture Time:

See Timetable...

Level:

Credits:

Study Hours:

150

School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for

International Relations Dual Honours (Level 1)
International Relations Major (Level 1)
International Relations Minor (Level 1)
International Relations Single Honours (Level 1)
Politics Dual Honours (Level 1)
Politics Major (Level 1)
Politics Minor (Level 1)
Politics Single Honours (Level 1)

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Yes

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description

This module is designed to provide a clear and inspiring introduction to social scientific perspectives on environmental problems and the concept of sustainability. It is useful to students specialising in an environmental course (i.e., Environmental Studies and Environment and Sustainabilty) who require a solid grounding in environmental social sciences as well as to students with a general interest in this timely global issue.

The module looks at the emergence of the 'environment' as an object of study, the historical processes leading to the contemporary discussion of 'sustainability' (and 'unsustainability') and the various ways in which political and social theorists, scientists, artists, fiction writers, and activists have interpreted a range of environmental problems and solutions in different contexts. Students will learn to recognise the political aspects of the environmental crisis and to understand how and why both 'environment' and 'sustainability' are essentially contested concepts.

The ten topic-based lectures are complemented by ten weekly meetings of small tutorial groups. The tutorial sessions enable students to discuss and debate the academic content, as well as to practise core skills that will be required for successful University-level study -- such as paraphrasing an author's argument, using the Harvard system of referencing, attributing a concept to a specific school of thought, and constructing an effective argument. Tutorial group sessions enable students to develop the important verbal communication skills of effective question-posing and active listening. In addition to taking an unseen exam on the module content, students are required to read and write a critical review of a novel and to produce an annotated time-line of key periods, events, people and texts which are relevant to the history of sustainability.

Assessment format: 25% book review, 35% time-line project, 40% unseen exam.

Aims

i) to provide a first year introduction to the social scientific perspectives on environmental problems and the concept of sustainability.

ii) to enable students to develop the core study and communication skills needed to be successful in the social science components of the degree programme (e.g., effective writing and reading, critical thinking, and accessing information)

Intended Learning Outcomes

Explain the emergence of 'the environment' as an object of social scientific study and political debate. will be achieved by assessments: 02, 03
Explain the development of, and debates about, the concepts of 'sustainable development' and 'sustainability'. will be achieved by assessments: 02, 03
Identify and critically discuss -- by applying relevant conceptual tools -- the social, political, economic, and cultural factors that have led to the problem of 'unsustainability'. will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02, 03
Develop an argument and assemble a coherent analysis that is communicated effectively, using an appropriate academic writing style and correctly apply the Harvard system of referencing. will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02, 03
Participate with confidence in tutorial discussions, having prepared effectively in advance. Skills of effective speaking, listening, and question posing will be developed. will be achieved by assessments: 02

Study hours

10 hours attendance at lectures
10 hours attendance at tutorials
40 hours tutorial preparation
40 hours revision for written exam
50 hours research and writing of written assignments (project, book review)

Description of Module Assessment

01: Book Review weighted 25%

a 1,000 word book review
Students will write a 1,000-word critical review of an assigned book (fiction or non-fiction; of length appropriate to the task), using key concepts and ideas from lectures and module readings.

02: Problem Sheets weighted 35%

Ten problem sheets prepared in advance of tutorials
Students will complete a problem sheet for each of 10 tutorials. Problem sheets will require students to demonstrate comprehension of the academic content of tutorial topics and to practise a specific skill, such as use of Harvard system of referencing, paraphrasing an author's argument, and identifying what social scientists mean by 'context'. Problem sheets will play a key part in the tutorial sessions, serving as both advance preparation and a agenda for group activities. Feedback will be given by tutors and peers in the tutorial sessions. Students will review and revise the sheets in light of the feedback and then submit them together as a package for final grading.

03: 2 Hour Exam weighted 40%

a two-hour unseen written examination on the academic content of the module

04: Class Participation

Attendance and participation in tutorials (formative)
Students must attend all lectures and tutorials. They will be expected to prepare effectively in advance by completing problem sheets and to participate actively and constructively in tutorial discussions

Reading Sources