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School of Law, Politics and Sociology

Environmental Pol in the Anthropocene (L2111)

Environmental Politics in the Anthropocene

Module L2111

Module details for 2023/24.

30 credits

FHEQ Level 6

Module Outline

In the face of fast-paced environmental changes, climate scientists describe the present as a new earth age, the Anthropocene, where humanity is the most impactful geological force. The Anthropocene challenges fundamental assumptions about how politics works, what it can achieve, and how it can respond to global problems. Students will explore a range of perspectives on ecology and its governance from and beyond the Global North. By engaging with policymaking, activism and art, the module unpacks who or what is responsible for the burgeoning climate crisis, and where solutions might be found.

Module learning outcomes

Show knowledge of different theoretical frameworks, ideas and concepts that can be used to analyse and design governance in the Anthropocene in their links and tensions.

Locate and evaluate academic literature related to environmental politics in theory and practice.

Identify the various groups engaged in environmental politics in the public, private and non-governmental spheres and critically evaluate their roles in environmental politics.

Use a range of established techniques, including ethnography or participant observation, to initiate and undertake critical analysis of information, and to propose solutions to problems arising from that analysis.

Identify the powers available to environmental policymakers and institutions and critically evaluate the effectiveness of these resources for solving environmental problems.

Identify and research a key issue or question related to politics in the Anthropocene.

TypeTimingWeighting
Essay (4000 words)Semester 1 Assessment Week 1 Thu 16:0070.00%
Report (2000 words)Semester 1 Assessment Week 1 Mon 16:0030.00%
Timing

Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.

Weighting

Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.

TermMethodDurationWeek pattern
Autumn SemesterSeminar3 hours11110011111
Autumn SemesterFieldwork5 hours00001000000

How to read the week pattern

The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.

Dr Rebecca Dobson Phillips

Convenor, Assess convenor
/profiles/307972

Dr Hannah Richter

Assess convenor, Convenor
/profiles/341320

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