Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL3077: Global Environmental Politics and Policy

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

Module Aims

This module has two primary aims. The first is to provide an introduction to global environmental politics and policy. You will examine the issues, actors, and institutions that shape global environmental politics, as well as the socioeconomic forces that strengthen or undermine global environmental sustainability. You will also critically evaluate core theoretical frameworks in the field of environmental politics and apply these frameworks to real-world environmental issues.

The second aim is to introduce you to the practices and procedures associated with producing original quantitative research. As part of this module, you will participate in a series of quantitative methods and statistical software tutorials. These tutorials will not only provide you with the necessary tools to complete your final essay, but will give you a set of quantitative skills that are increasingly important for potential employers and graduate school admissions boards.

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. describe key global environmental issues, including why such issues arise and why they are considered “policy problems";
2. analyze the key stakeholders, institutions, and political processes that shape global environmental politics;
3. critically evaluate proposed solutions to environmental problems;
Discipline-Specific Skills4. critically assess the primary international and domestic forces that either constrain or facilitate international cooperation on the environment;
5. summarize and critique key approaches to studying environmental politics;
6. apply key approaches to assess current environmental issues;
7. isolate and evaluate the empirical implications of theoretical frameworks;
Personal and Key Skills8. analyze quantitative data using R (a free software environment for statistical computing and graphics), including the analysis of descriptive statistics and basic hypothesis testing;
9. identify the basic steps of conducting empirical research and writing an empirical paper; and
10. demonstrate oral and written communication skills.

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.