PIR-40082: Global Environmental Change and its Political Consequences

This module seeks to understand the evidence which has emerged for anthropogenically-driven global environmental change and the links to Carbon Dioxide level rise since the Industrial Revolution. The consequences of this for societies and the political responses, both national and international to these crises
are the focus of the second part of the module. It aims to provide students with an overview of key concepts, debates, processes and discourses in relation to the political dynamics of $ùthe environment&©. It aims to be a broad introduction to the main facets of environmental politics and to cover a substantial amount of ground in a relatively short amount of time. It therefore provides breadth rather than depth. The aim is that students will gain a good general understanding across the field, which will prepare them to specialise in greater depth in one or more areas in their optional courses and their dissertation.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Identify and critically analyse the scientific evidence for global environmental change will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3
Persuasively communicate conclusions formed through research and critical analysis in both written and verbal form. will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3
Critically assess how and why $ùthe environment&© came to be seen as a political question will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3
Scrutinise the challenges environmental problems pose for existing political structures, institutions, and practices, and the critically analyse the theoretical presumptions underlying them. will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3

Study hours

20 hours: contact time in ten two-hour seminars
80 hours: seminar preparation
50 hours: independent research, reflection and writing

Description of Module Assessment

01: Oral Presentation (must pass this element)

Presentation of key research themes for each week.
Students have to introduce topics with a class presentation. They need to respond to key questions identified in the course document and set out an agenda for class discussion. Each student will do this at least in the module and if numbers allow more than once. Formative feedback will be provided by the course tutor.

02: Essay weighted 50%

First essay based on the science part of the module
A 2,500 word essay - summatively assessed with written feedback.

03: Essay weighted 50%

second essay based on the politics/ir part of the module
A 2,500 word essay - summatively assessed with written feedback.

Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Mar/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.