Module: EH7003-30 Environmental Ethics and Philosophy

Level: 7

Credit Value: 30

Module Tutor: Mike Hannis

Module Tutor Contact Details: m.hannis@bathspa.ac.uk

1.Brief description and aims of module

This module provides a grounding in anglophone Environmental Philosophy, as developed primarily in the US, UK and Australia from the 1970s to the present day, focussing particularly on ethics but also touching on political theory and aesthetics.

2.Outline syllabus

Following an introductory week defining the scope of the subject, the syllabus first explores various ethical approaches to environmental issues, with a week each on utilitarian, Kantian and virtue traditions, followed by a week summing up and comparing these traditions. The following two weeks address debates about ‘anthropocentrism’ and ‘intrinsic value’, bringing the course to the halfway point, marked by a reading week (week 8).

The second half of the module builds on the ethical understandings gained in the first half. Week 8 covers environmental aesthetics, including issues of cultural and historic specificity in what are considered desirable landscapes. This is followed by three weeks addressing ideas about ‘nature’ and how it might be valued (monetarily or otherwise), with reflection on how these may affect conservation priorities. Week 12 addresses concepts of sustainability and obligations to future generations, and these are applied in week 13 to the issue of climate change. Weeks 14 applies insights so far gained to other specific contemporary environmental issues, to be chosen collaboratively by the group. Week 15 concludes by situating the subject within the broader field of environmental humanities.

3.Teaching and learning activities

This module is taught through a structured series of weekly two-hour seminars, each consisting of a short lecture followed by workshop-style discussion of set texts.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work
• Description: 2,000 Word Essay
• % Weighting: 30%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work
• Description: 5,000 Word Essay
• % Weighting: 70%