Module ANT3041 for 2019/0
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
ANT3041: Environments in Public
This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.
Module Aims
This module aims to introduce environmentalism and sustainability as developing processes of public communication, campaigning and social change since the mid-20th C. In so doing, it aims to introduce key scientific, philosophical and theoretical debates on the environment, alongside real-world developments in environmental governance. It will equip students with the key skills to help them critically evaluate scientific and political claims about environmental issues made in mass media coverage and the wider contemporary public sphere. The primary context will be the UK and the European Union, but with perspective mindful of global environmental debates.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
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Module-Specific Skills | 1. demonstrate a critical understanding of the origins and development of contemporary environmentalism. 2. critique and evaluate how environmental issues have been framed in public and policy arenas 3. critically analyse the roles and perspectives of multiple actors and positions in environmental controversies. 4. display knowledge of the complexities of environmental governance across multiple sectors and scales. 5. evaluate critically public initiatives to tackle environmental problems 6. recognise the difficulties of achieving meaningful environmental debates and collective decisions about action. |
Discipline-Specific Skills | 7. think critically, analyse debates and present coherent arguments about socio-environmental issues 8. critically evaluate the effectiveness of and barriers to environmental action. 9. investigate, analyse and understand processes of contestation in the modern public sphere via lobbying, mass media, public engagement and policy formation. |
Personal and Key Skills | 10. evaluate ideas and contemporary public debates. 11. demonstrate critical media literacy skills search for, contextualize and evaluate mass media content 12. present written material in a clear, coherent and accessible manner 13. learn how to work effectively in a group to produce a short film or podcast and evaluate others performance. 14. contribute productively and co-operatively to group discussions |
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:
- Contemporary histories of environmentalism and green philosophies.
- Environmental imaginaries: pasts and futures.
- Roles of the public sphere, mass media and environmental communication
- Campaigning: environmental social movements and NGOs
- Environmental publics, citizenship and participation.
- Science-policy interfaces: the role of knowledge
- Environmental governance: conceptual frameworks and instruments
- Global environmental issues: scale, expertise and experience.
These conceptual lenses will be used to help students investigate and understand substantive topics in environmentalism such as air pollution, water, waste, land management; biodiversity, energy and climate change.
In addition, a dedicated ELE site will provide students with links to key texts and lecture materials.
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 | 128 | 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 2 hour lecture+seminar sessions |
Guided independent study | 60 | Reading |
Guided independent study | 38 | Assignment preparation: conducting research, critical analysis of literature & media content, and writing the case study |
Guided Independent Study | 30 | Groupwork; preparation of video and writeup |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
For mass media sources, check the Library resources at http://libguides.exeter.ac.uk/az.php?t=24641
Box of Broadcasts, Gale News Vault and Nexis are particularly useful databases that can help you get past online paywalls!
Web of Science enables you to search for content in the major academic journals. You can find further information at: http://www.library.ex.ac.uk/guides/essentials/wos.pdf
Google scholar is also useful, particularly for finding open access copies of material not available through the library: http://scholar.google.co.uk
If you have any further questions please consult the Library staff.
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 |
---|---|---|---|
Key Issues In group project producing an environmental briefing film or podcast, to be played in class | 5 minutes each | 1-11; 13 | Oral/written; plus in-class peer feedback. |
Contributions to class discussion | Throughout course | 1-11; 14 | Oral |
Environmental news scrapbook & class discussion | Throughout course assessed via oral contribution Students will be asked to voluntarily submit their scrapbooks as an appendix to summative assessments | 1-11; 14 | Oral/written |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Key Issues In briefing note, plus reflective account of groupwork | 40 | 1200 words (briefing notes) 800 words (reflective diary) | 1-12 | Written & oral with returned essay |
Case study report | 60 | 2,500 words | 1-12 | Written & oral with returned essay |
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 |
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plus reflective account of groupwork | Briefing notes + diary (1200+800 words) | 1-12 | August/September reassessment period |
Case study report | Case study report (2,500 words) | 1-12 | August/September reassessment period |