Unit information: The Politics of (Un)sustainability in 2021/22

Unit name	The Politics of (Un)sustainability
Unit code	POLIM0028
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Parrott
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This unit introduces students to the ‘politics of (un)sustainability’, through critical evaluation of the gradual emergence of sustainability politics and practice over the last 50 years. The nature and extent of the ecological crisis and the implications of this for long term human and non-human flourishing are considered, and the relationship between capitalism, accumulation and (un)sustainability is critically assessed. Key concepts are evaluated and critiqued from a range of green theoretical and philosophical perspectives, and emphasis is placed upon the intersections between global environmental degradation, social inequality, political representation and participation, and economic development/growth.

This unit aims to:

• Encourage an interest in and understanding of the politics of (un)sustainability.
• Develop a critical understanding of the conceptual and theoretical frameworks underpinning ‘sustainability’ actions and agendas at the international, national, grassroots and individual level.
• Provide an analytical outline of the rise of the politics of (un)sustainability and highlight the intersections between global environmental degradation, social inequality, political representation and participation, and economic development/growth.
• Create opportunities to develop key skills such as reading and research, analysis and evaluation, and essay writing.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate critical awareness of the intersections between global environmental degradation, social inequality, political representation and participation, and economic development/growth.
2. Analytically apply core ‘green’ concepts to case study examples from the global North and / or South.
3. Analyse and critique dominant discourses of environmentalism and ecological modernisation approaches to sustainability, from a variety of ‘ecologising’ perspectives.
4. Demonstrate key skills in evaluation, speaking and listening, independent research, group work, essay writing and ICT.

Teaching Information

The unit will be taught through blended learning methods, including a mix of synchronous and asynchronous teaching activities

Assessment Information

One essay plan of 500 words (formative assessment), one assessed 4,000 word essay (100% of unit mark).

All assessments test all ILOs.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. POLIM0028).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.