Module:  POL6005-20   Environmental Politics

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Mike Hannis

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

1. Brief description and aims of module

Environmental issues represent the key political challenges of our age, which demand effective and timely response.  This module considers the rise of environmental politics, from the margins to central global concern, and the emergence of different organisations and forms of action intended to address environmental questions. These range from small, essentially local protests to global networks, and encompass all levels of governmental and non-governmental action, from local grassroots movements to the UN.

In addition to environmental protest movements and Green politics, we will also study the ‘greening’ of more established political parties and political agendas. How do political responses to environmental issues relate to other contemporary concerns and policy goals? What relevant conceptual resources exist within existing political and theoretical traditions? How are alliances across environmental and other issues formed, and where do they go next?

2. Outline syllabus

The curriculum will be drawn from topics which may include:

• The rise of environmentalism in local, national and global politics

• From the margins to the centre: environmental issues in social, political and cultural contexts

• The politics of international agreements and policy

• Environmentalism and public protest

• Local, national and international case studies: applications to practice

• Image and action: the power of the media and personality

• Future planning: issues and implications in the longer term

You will be encouraged to work with us to develop defined lines of enquiry, building on a shared introduction to these and other topics. Our aim will be to consider the current state of play at local, national and international levels, as we work through the module and to reflect on what is happening now, in the context of a critical understanding of past action and movements.

3. Teaching and learning activities

The module will be delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops. Lectures will introduce each topic and provide guidance on indicative reading. Seminars will provide an opportunity to develop your learning through discussions, group work, presentations, and other individual and group learning activities.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Project proposal (equiv. 1000 words)

• % Weighting: 20

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Project portfolio (equiv. 4000 words)

• % Weighting: 80