ES3S200 - Politics of the Environment 01 Jul 2022 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: ES3S200
Module Title: Politics of the Environment
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Applied Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Earth and Environment
Module Leader: Jonathan Duckett
Module Team: Thomas Lambourne, Anthony Harris
First Intended Intake: SEP 2027 Final Year of Intake: 2027
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100408 - environmental geography 101510 - environmentalism
HECOS Code Weighting: 40 60

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Jul 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

To explore the how the environment is conceptualised, represented and managed through socio-cultural and political understandings.

To understand the role of various political actors in shaping the environment and its development.

In engaging with the module appropriately, students will fully achieve level-appropriate Behaviour Domains of the following USW Graduate Attributes:

Commercial Awareness - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Communication - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Leadership - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Innovation and Enterprise - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Project Management - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Digital Literacy - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

The Capabilities associated with these behaviours are found in the Graduate Attributes table at the end of the descriptor.

Content Summary

The module examines the political concerns and contestations that surround the relationship between nature, environment and society. This will be demonstrated through a range of landscapes and the ways in which we conceptualise, represent and manage environments.

The module will explore the role and influence of the environmental movements, protests and campaign organisations, NGOs, governments and citizens in developing and planning sustainable environments for the future.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 4
Seminar 20
External visits 24
Independent Study 152
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 To critically examine the ways in which the environment is symbolised and understood across societies.
LO2 To critically assess the role and responsibility of various political actors in shaping the environment.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 1 Essay 0 2000 50 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Oral Assessment Oral Assessment (Internally assessed, Onsite) 1 Assessed seminar leadership and seminar contribution 15 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Essay 1
Oral Assessment (Internally assessed, Onsite) 1

Reading List

Chasek, P. and Downie, D. (2020) Global Environmental Politics. London: Routledge.

Darchen, S. & Searle, G. eds., 2019. Global Planning Innovations for Urban Sustainability. London: Routledge.

Harris, P. (2013) Routledge handbook of global environmental politics. London: Routledge.