Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL3077: Global Environmental Politics and Policy

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

Introduction to Global Environmental Politics and Policy

  • What are global environmental politics & policy?
  • Conflicting views of the (global) environmental problematique 

Domestic Determinants: Global Environmental Politics “On the Ground”

  • Environmental values & attitudes
  • Environmental behaviour
  • Social activism & environmental movements
  • Electoral politics & the environment: are “green” parties the answer?
  • The political economy of global environmental policy

International Determinants: Cooperating on Global Environmental Policies

  • Setting the stage: world politics & international cooperation
  • International environmental regimes
  • Non-state actors in global environmental politics: IGOs, NGOs, and Secretariats
  • Are international environmental regimes the answer?

Environmental Issues

  • Case Study 1: Persistent organic pollutants
  • Case Study 2: Global warming

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
492510

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity3618 x 2 hour seminars
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity84 x 2 hour quantitative research tutorials
Scheduled Learning and Teaching55 x 1 hour lab sessions
Guided independent activity46Examination preparation and completion
Guided independent activity12Completion of quantitative lab assignments
Guided independent activity33Statistical software/methodology tutorials
Guided independent activity84Essay preparation and completion (including the submission of the essay research question, proposal, and the essay presentation.)
Guided independent activity76Reading assignments

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

Statistical software resources

Other Learning Resources

Documentaries

This section provides a handful of documentaries on environmental issues discussed in class. While far from exhaustive, these videos provide a useful starting point for understanding the difficulties (and opportunities) associated with solving global environmental problems.