Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL2101: Public Environmental Politics

This module descriptor refers to the 2018/9 academic year.

Module Aims

This module aims to introduce the historical and contemporary character of environmentalism and sustainability as processes of public campaigning and political change. In so doing, it aims to introduce key scientific, philosophical and theoretical debates on the environment, alongside real world developments environmental policy and politics. It will equip students with the key skill to help them critically evaluate scientific and policy claims made in mass media coverage of environmental issues. The primary context will be the UK and the European Union, but the international scene will always be in evidence.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Understand the origins and evolution of green political thought
2. Critique the different ways in which environmental issues have been framed in public and policy arenas
3. Analyse the role and perspectives of multiple actors and perspectives on in environmental policy
4. Display knowledge of the complexities of addressing environmental policy across policy sectors and governance scales
5. Evaluate critically policy and public initiatives to tackle environmental problems
6. Recognise the difficulties of achieving meaningful environmental debates and global policy agreements
Discipline-Specific Skills7. Think critically, analyse debates and present coherent arguments about environmental politics
8. Evaluate the effectiveness of and barriers to policy interventions
9. Understand processes of political contestation in the modern public sphere via lobbying, mass media, public engagement and policy formation
Personal and Key Skills10. Evaluate ideas and debates
11. Demonstrate critical media literacy skills – search for, contextualize and evaluate mass media content
12. Present written material in a coherent and accessible manner
13. Work collaboratively in a group to produce a short film and evaluate others’ performance
14. Contribute productively and co-operatively to class discussions