PIR-40098: Environmental Movements: North and South

School of Politics, International Relations & Philosophy

PIR-40098

Environmental Movements: North and South

Co-ordinator:

Dr Brian Doherty Room: CBB2.028, Tel:34176

Teaching Team:

Mrs Paula Hughes, Ms Kathryn Ainsworth, Prof Timothy Doyle

Lecture Time:

See Timetable...

Level:

4

Credits:

15

150

School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Barred Combinations

None

As for other Masters at Keele

Description

Environmentalism has a good claim to be the most successful social movement of the modern era. Environmentalist ideas that were once seen as marginal or extreme are now mainstream in national and international politics: green parties have become established in many parts of the world, particularly in Europe where they have been part of national governments, environmental groups such as Greenpeace have increased their support and resources in the industrialized countries to a position where governments cannot afford to ignore them; and in the global South thousands of environmental groups have emerged in recent decades, usually engaged in local struggles to defend livelihoods against development but often linked to international politics through transnational networks.

This suggests a picture of a global movement on an ever-upward trajectory of power but while environmentalism has undoubtedly grown in strength, it would be misleading to project this with any confidence into the future. The growth of environmentalism has seen a significant diversification in strategies and ideology and the differences between different types of environmental groups remain significant, as do the cross-national varieties of environmentalism, undermining the idea of a unified global environmental movement. Furthermore as environmental ideas are taken up by states and business, those who see environmental movements as too institutionalised to be able to respond to new ideas or unable to show how they will be able to transform society have questioned its purpose.

This module will provide an overview of the evidence and debates about environmental movements in both North and South. Beginning with an examination of the historical background, it shows how environmental groups are difficult to define as a single movement. Although some groups have institutionalised, new grassroots groups have also emerged in both North and South - using protest and a challenge to power to pursue more radical agendas.

The study of environmental movements and environmentalism draws in particular on theories of protest and social movements, which are mainly concerned with explaining why movements arise, how they mobilize, why they chose particular forms of action, and assessing their success or failure. However, the module also concerned with the development of green ideas over time and thus we also try to assess the contributions made by different types of environmental movement to the development of a green identity and political agenda.

To provide an overview of the central controversies in the analysis of environmental movements, with a particular emphasis on cross-national comparisons.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate systematic knowledge of and critically evaluate advanced scholarship and recent research on environmental movements and environmentalism. will be achieved by assessments: 1 and 2
Systematically and creatively assess the diversity of environmental movements and the consequences of this for understanding and defining environmentalism. will be achieved by assessments: 2
Demonstrate self-direction and originality in employing strategies to address academic controversies on environmental movements and environmentalism. will be achieved by assessments: 1 and 2
Communicate appropriately, convincingly and fluently in oral presentation. will be achieved by assessments: 1
Critically evaluate and assess their own strengths and weaknesses in communicating complex issues to others. will be achieved by assessments: 1

22 hours: contact time in eleven two-hour seminars
60 hours: seminar preparation
20 hours: presentation preparation
48 hours: independent research, reflection and writing

Description of Module Assessment

01: Reflective Analysis weighted 33%

A report on a case study which students will present to the class, followed by a self-assessment analysis
This will be either a 1,000 word report or power point slides - which analyse an environmental movement, an organisation or a campaign. It must be presented to the group and the student will lead discussion on their case. The report or slides will be submitted after the seminar, along with a self-assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the report and the student's role in the subsequent discussion. The mark will be allocated by the tutor.

02: Essay weighted 67%

An essay of 3,000 words
An essay examining one of the controversies on environmental movements.

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

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