PIR-40106 - Module Specification
School of Social, Political and Global Studies
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2020/21

This module aims to provide students with an overview of key concepts, debates, processes and discourses in relation to the political dynamics of 'the environment'. It aims to be a broad introduction to the main facets of environmental politics and international relations. It covers a substantial amount of ground in a relatively short amount of time and 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 other optional modules and their dissertation.
Students will explore the following three key questions in environmental politics:
- How did 'the environment' come to be seen as a political question?
- How have political institutions responded to what have been called environmental problems?
- What are the challenges such problems individually or collectively pose for existing political structures, institutions, and practices, and the theoretical presumptions underlying them?
Students will also have the opportunity to develop their research and communication skills by participating in weekly discussions and debates.

The module 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 covers 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 other optional courses and their dissertation.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Analyse the various aspects of the politicisation of $ùthe environment&© and how a range of specific issues reached the environmental policy agenda
will be achieved by assessments: 1
Critically evaluate how political institutions at various levels responded to what have been called environmental problems will be achieved by assessments: 1
Recognise the variety of discourses structuring political and policy debates in relation to environmental problems and develop a sophisticated critique of these discourses
will be achieved by assessments: 1
1

Study hours

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

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment