Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POC3095: Environmental Knowledge Controversies

This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.

Please note that this module is only delivered on the Penryn Campus.

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:

Part one: Key concepts and frameworks

Scientific paradigms

Social constructionism

The sociology of science

The science-policy nexus

Part two: Applied case studies (possible examples are given, below)

Climate change

Bees and neo-nicotinoids

Bovine tuberculosis and badger culling

Street lighting

Part three: Beyond the tension

Citizens as experts – from citizen science to lay expertise

Citizen juries and consultations

Participatory inquiry and science shops

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
24	126	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	24	12 x 2 hour seminars
Guided Independent Study	35	3.5 hours preparing for each seminar (from Week 2 onwards = 10 seminars)
Guided Independent Study	31	Preparing materials for a simulated citizen conference on an environmental policy issue; and formulating an outcome to present back to the class a week later
Guided Independent Study	40	Preparing essay
Guided Independent Study	20	Reflective diary

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