CM3S061 - Crime Against the Environment: The Growth in Eco-Justice and Green Criminology 01 Sep 2024 - 31 Aug 2030 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: CM3S061
Module Title: Crime Against the Environment: The Growth in Eco-Justice and Green Criminology
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Policing and Criminology
Faculty Sub Group: Criminology
Module Leader: Jennifer Maher
Module Team: Daniel Welch, Helen Martin
First Intended Intake: SEP 2024 Final Year of Intake: 2029
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module: N/A
HECOS codes:
HECOS Code Weighting:

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2024
Valid To 31 Aug 2030

Module Aims

This module aims to enable students to comprehensively evaluate crime and harm concerning non-human animals and the environment, examining the interplay between green and traditional crimes. Students will understand the intricate relationships among offenses against humans, non-human animals, and the environment, while critically analysing responses to environmental crime and animal abuse.

Content Summary

  • Analyse the Concept of Green Criminology: 

      

    ·       Define and articulate the concept of green criminology. 

    ·       Explain the interdisciplinary nature of green criminology, drawing from various fields such as environmental science, sociology, and law. 

      

    Understand the Nature and Prevalence of Environmental Crimes and Harms: 

      

    ·       Identify and classify various forms of environmental crimes and harms, including pollution, wildlife trafficking, and deforestation.  

    ·       Critical Animal Studies  

    ·       Animal abuses – Local, National and Global issues 

    ·       Examine the global scope and prevalence of these environmental offenses and their consequences. 

      

    Investigate the Causes and Consequences of Green Crimes: 

      

    ·       Explore the underlying causes of environmental crimes, including corporate interests, profit motives, and regulatory failures. 

    ·       Analyse the social, economic, and ecological consequences of green crimes, emphasising their impact on communities, public health, and ecosystems 

      

    Explore Connections Between Green Crimes and Social Justice: 

      

    ·       Examine the linkages between environmental degradation and social justice issues, such as inequalities in exposure to pollution and access to natural resources. 

    ·       Discuss the disproportionate impact of green crimes on marginalized communities. 

    Delve into Environmental Activism and Solutions: 

      

    ·       Investigate environmental activism and the role of grassroots movements, NGOs, and international organisations in addressing green crimes. 

    ·       Explore sustainable practices, policy initiatives, and global efforts aimed at mitigating environmental harms and promoting eco-justice.  

    .  

    Animal Abuse and Rights 

      

    ·       Delve into the complex relationship between human and non-human animals, emphasising contemporary developments in animal protection and rights. 

    ·       Analyse the egal distinctions between harming animals in the context of food production and at home and consider the implications of these differences. 

      

    Case Studies in Green Crimes and Harms 

      

    ·       Study real-world cases of environmental disasters like the BP Oil spill, deforestation in the Brazilian Rainforest, and the illegal wildlife trade. 

    ·       Evaluate the nature and prevalence of green crimes and harms, linking them to organised corporate and state crime and human injustice. 

    ·       Regulatory Responses and Societal Initiatives 

    ·       Explore the critical challenges posed by climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, leading to international responses and initiatives. 

    ·       Examine how key agencies such as the UN, INTERPOL, and the EU are addressing environmental concerns, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 

    ·       Examine formal regulatory responses by national and international governments to combat environmental crimes. 

    ·       Consider informal societal responses by NGOs, protest groups, and campaigns aimed at addressing environmental challenges. 

      

    This module will place an emphasis a challenge-based learning approach, encouraging students to examine diverse concepts, definitions, and explanations related to local, national, and global environmental challenges. 

    This module encourages students to critically engage with the field of green criminology, fostering an awareness of the interconnectedness between environmental issues, social justice, and regulatory responses. Students will explore real-world examples and develop the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to the global conversation on environmental crimes and harms.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 12
Practical Classes and Workshops 24
Independent Study 48
Independent Study 80
Total Hours Selected 164

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Illustrate in-depth comprehension and critical awareness of the concepts of crime, harm, and victimisation concerning non-human animals and the environment, as well as the theories elucidating these behaviours.
LO2 Identify and critically evaluate responses to green crimes and to provide a detailed case study on one environmental crime/harm or non-human animal abuse issue.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Case study 1 A concentrated inquiry into a single environmental or non-human animal crime/harm case study as a fictitious report to the UN. 0 3000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Case study 1

Reading List

risman, A., & South, N. (2014). Green cultural criminology: constructions of environmental harm, consumerism, and resistance to ecocide. London: Routledge. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/usw/detail.action?docID=5260423

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora | CITES (n.d.). Available at: https://cites.org/eng/disc/text.php

Hillyard, P. (Ed.). (2004). Beyond criminology: taking harm seriously. London: Pluto Press. Available at: https://eu.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/view/action/uresolver.do?operation=resolveService&package_service_id=6838276120002424&institutionId=2424&customerId=2415

Killing with Keystrokes | IFAW - International Fund for Animal Welfare (n.d.). Available at: https://www.ifaw.org/united-states/resource-centre/killing-keystrok-0

Lemieux, A. M. (Ed.). (2014). Situational prevention of poaching. London: Routledge. Available at: https://eu.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/view/action/uresolver.do?operation=resolveService&package_service_id=5949707640002424&institutionId=2424&customerId=2415

Lemieux, A. M., & Clarke, R. V. (2009). 'The international ban on ivory sales and its effects on elephant poaching in Africa'. British Journal of Criminology, 49(4), 451–471. Available at: https://findit.southwales.ac.uk/permalink/44WHELF_USW/th9aii/cdi_gale_infotracacademiconefile_A204074709

Library updates (n.d.). University of South Wales. Available at: https://library.southwales.ac.uk/libraryupdates/

Sollund, R. A. (2008). Global harms: ecological crime and speciesism. New York: Nova Science Publishers. 

Stretesky, P., Long, M. A., & Lynch, M. J. (2014). The treadmill of crime: political economy and green criminology. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Available at: https://eu.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/view/action/uresolver.do?operation=resolveService&package_service_id=6838276140002424&institutionId=2424&customerId=2415

Westerhuis, D., Walters, R., & Wyatt, T. (Eds.). (2013). Emerging issues in green criminology: exploring power, justice and harm. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Available at: https://eu.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/view/action/uresolver.do?operation=resolveService&package_service_id=5951031600002424&institutionId=2424&customerId=2415

White, R. D. (2013). Environmental harm: an eco-justice perspective. Bristol: The Policy Press. Available at: https://eu.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/view/action/uresolver.do?operation=resolveService&package_service_id=5937066820002424&institutionId=2424&customerId=2415

Wyatt, T. (2013). Wildlife trafficking: a deconstruction of the crime, the victims, and the offenders. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. Available at: https://www.vlebooks.com/vleweb/product/openreader?id=UniSWales&isbn=9781137269249