Module POLM222M for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
POLM222M: The Politics, Policy and Practice of Sustainable Development
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
This module aims to provide you as professional policy makers and public managers with an advanced introduction to the concept of sustainable development and the policy-making challenges presented by its various features. You will develop an understanding of the trade-off between environmental protection and economic development. The module aims to widen your understanding of environmental policy challenges by analysing problems in various national contexts. On completing this module you will have a firm grasp of the key debates in sustainable development and will be able to critically assess strategies to produce sustainable development.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the complexities of implementing sustainable development across different policy sectors and governance scales 2. Evaluate critically current practice of sustainable development implementation 3. Identify examples of sustainable development good practice and the policy lessons that can be drawn |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 4. Appraise and critically evaluate government reports and public policy 5. Synthesise and comment critically on a corpus of academic public policy literature 6. Systematically link public administration concepts and theories to real world examples |
| Personal and Key Skills | 7. Intensively study in an independent and directed manner over in short time scales to produce work of a consistent high-quality standard 8. Communicate complex ideas and evidence in seminar presentations and workshop activities 9. Reflect on the process of learning and evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will include the following topics in the order indicated:
- History and politicisation of sustainable development
- Challenges of implementing sustainable development across sectors and governance scales
- Critical policy issues:
- Climate change
- Biodiversity and ecosystems
- Land use and planning
- Drawing lessons for implementing sustainable development
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 278 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 22 | 11 x two hour seminars |
| Guided independent study | 128 | Reading, thinking and preparing for lectures and workshops |
| Guided independent study | 150 | Assignment preparation |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
The module will be supported by ELE materials, including links to core texts
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation | 10 minutes | 1-9 | Verbal feedback |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mock evidence submission to parliamentary enquiry | 35 | 3,000 words | 1-7 | Written feedback |
| Reflective learning log | 20 | 1,000 words | 1-7, 9 | Written feedback |
| Coursework Essay | 45 | 3,500 words | 1-7 | Written feedback |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mock evidence submission to parliamentary enquiry | Mock evidence submission to parliamentary enquiry(3,000 words) | 1-7 | Next reassessment period |
| Reflective learning log | Reflective learning log (1,000 words) | 1-7, 9 | Next reassessment period |
| Coursework Essay | Coursework Essay (3,500 words) | 1-7 | Next reassessment period |
Indicative Reading List
This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.
Sanderson, H., Hildén, M., Russel, D.,Penha-Lopes, G. and Capriolo, A (eds)(2018) Adapting the Future for Climate Change in Europe. Elsevier: New York. Ch 6.
Turnpenny J, Russel DJ (2017). The Idea(s) of ‘Valuing Nature’: Insights from the UK’s Ecosystem Services Framework. Environmental Politics , 26 , 973-993
Connelly, J., Smith, G., Benson, D. & Saunders, C. (2012) Politics and the Environment. Routledge, Oxford. Ch 5.
Jordan (2008) The Governance of Sustainable Development: Taking Stock and Looking Forward. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy 26, 17-33.
Jordan and Lenschow (eds) (2008) Innovation in Environmental Policy: Integrating the Environment for Sustainability. Edward Elgar.
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005) Eco-system and Human Well-Being: Policy Responses, Island Press.
Steurer, R. and Martinuzzi, A. 2005. Towards a new pattern of strategy formulation in the public sector: first experiences with national strategies for sustainable development in Europe. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy 23 455-472.
