Module SOC3117 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
SOC3117: Environments in Public
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 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 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 a perspective that is mindful of global environmental debates.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key Issues In briefing note, 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 |
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.
Core Texts:
Eden, S. (2016). Environmental Publics. Routledge.
Connelly, J., Smith, G., Benson, D. & Saunders, C. (2012) Politics and the Environment. Routledge, Oxford.
Hansen, A. (2018). Environment, Media and Communication (2nd edition). Routledge.
Hilton, M., McKay, J., Crowson, N., &; Mouhot, J. (2013). The Politics of Expertise: How NGOs Shaped Modern Britain. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
McCormick, J. (2017). Environmental Politics and Policy. Macmillan.
All are available from the library
