Unit name | Politics of the Environment |
---|---|
Unit code | POLI31556 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | H/6 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
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:
The unit introduces students to green theories and philosophies, and the key debates surrounding the politics of the environment. We begin by tracing the history of environmentalism and ask: is there an environmental crisis? International responses to climate change are critically assessed and evaluated before students are introduced to green theories and philosophies, such as ecologism, deep ecology and Gaia. The key concepts of ‘limits to growth’ and ‘the tragedy of the commons’, and the relationship between poverty and the environment are analysed through case study examples. The unit considers in depth the linkages between the environment and political, economic, social and cultural forces, and questions whether the environment should be considered as ‘politics’ or ‘security’. The unit concludes by investigating strategies for green change and the range of actors that may be involved in these processes.
Aims:
On successful completion of the unit, students will have the following:
Either 1 hour lecture and 2 hour seminar, or 3 hour seminar per week, depending on cohort numbers.
Formative (0%): 1500 word portfolio of independent learning tasks
Summative (100%: 3000 word essay
Both assessments assess all of the intended learning outcomes.
3. Chesek, Janet et al (2013) Global Environmental Politics, Boulder CO: Westview Press.
4. Dryzek, John et al (2013) Climate Challenged Society, Oxford: OUP
5. Dobson, Andrew (2007) Green Political Thought, 4th Edition, London; New York: Routledge.