PIR-40106 - Module Specification
School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

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 the 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 `the environment¿ and how a range of specific issues reached the environmental policy agenda
: 1
Recognise the variety of discourses structuring political and policy debates in relation to environmental problems and develop a sophisticated critique of these discourses
: 1
Critically evaluate how political institutions at various levels responded to what have been called environmental problems: 1

Study hours

Active Learning 22 hours:
20 hours: contact time in ten two-hour seminars
2 hours essay planning and consultation workshop
Independent Study 128 hours:
58 hours: seminar preparation
70 hours: independent research, reflection and writing for the essay

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment