Global Environmental Politics and Policy
| Module title | Global Environmental Politics and Policy |
|---|---|
| Module code | POL3077 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Travis Coan (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
This module provides an introduction to global environmental politics and policy. You will examine environmental politics from "the ground up," devoting considerable time to understanding both the domestic and international determinants of environmental protection. At the level of domestic politics, we will examine the ways in which environmental movements, public opinion, political behaviour, political economy, and electoral politics shape national preferences and actions in the area of environmental politics. Next, we will shift our focus to factors rooted in the field of international relations, including the formation and maintenance of international environmental regimes. By the end of this module, you will have a framework for understanding and critically evaluating policies aimed at protecting the global environment.
There are no pre-requisites for this module. You will, however, be required to complete a final research essay that uses empirical evidence to examine a topic of your choice. To help prepare you for this requirement, you will be expected to participate in a series of in-class quantitative tutorials, as well as complete several short lab assignments.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module has two primary aims. The first is to provide an introduction to global environmental politics and policy. You will examine the issues, actors, and institutions that shape global environmental politics, as well as the socioeconomic forces that strengthen or undermine global environmental sustainability. You will also critically evaluate core theoretical frameworks in the field of environmental politics and apply these frameworks to real-world environmental issues.
The second aim is to introduce you to the practices and procedures associated with producing original quantitative research. As part of this module, you will participate in a series of quantitative methods and statistical software tutorials. These tutorials will not only provide you with the necessary tools to complete your final essay, but will give you a set of quantitative skills that are increasingly important for potential employers and graduate school admissions boards.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. describe key global environmental issues, including why such issues arise and why they are considered policy problems";
- 2. analyze the key stakeholders, institutions, and political processes that shape global environmental politics;
- 3. critically evaluate proposed solutions to environmental problems;
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. critically assess the primary international and domestic forces that either constrain or facilitate international cooperation on the environment;
- 5. summarize and critique key approaches to studying environmental politics;
- 6. apply key approaches to assess current environmental issues;
- 7. isolate and evaluate the empirical implications of theoretical frameworks;
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. analyze quantitative data using R (a free software environment for statistical computing and graphics), including the analysis of descriptive statistics and basic hypothesis testing;
- 9. identify the basic steps of conducting empirical research and writing an empirical paper; and
- 10. demonstrate oral and written communication skills.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
Introduction to Global Environmental Politics and Policy
- What are global environmental politics & policy?
- Conflicting views of the (global) environmental problematique
Domestic Determinants: Global Environmental Politics “On the Ground”
- Environmental values & attitudes
- Environmental behaviour
- Social activism & environmental movements
- Electoral politics & the environment: are “green” parties the answer?
- The political economy of global environmental policy
International Determinants: Cooperating on Global Environmental Policies
- Setting the stage: world politics & international cooperation
- International environmental regimes
- Non-state actors in global environmental politics: IGOs, NGOs, and Secretariats
- Are international environmental regimes the answer?
Environmental Issues
- Case Study 1: Persistent organic pollutants
- Case Study 2: Global warming
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 49 | 251 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 36 | 18 x 2 hour seminars |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 8 | 4 x 2 hour quantitative research tutorials |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 5 | 5 x 1 hour lab sessions |
| Guided independent activity | 46 | Examination preparation and completion |
| Guided independent activity | 12 | Completion of quantitative lab assignments |
| Guided independent activity | 33 | Statistical software/methodology tutorials |
| Guided independent activity | 84 | Essay preparation and completion (including the submission of the essay research question, proposal, and the essay presentation.) |
| Guided independent activity | 76 | Reading assignments |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay research question | 100 words | 1-3, 4, 6, 7, 9 | Written |
| Essay research proposal | 500 words | 1-3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10 | Written |
| Seminar and tutorial participation | weekly | 1-10 | Verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | 30 | 10 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | 30 | 1.5 hours | 1-7, 10 | Written |
| Essay | 60 | 5,000 words | 1-10 | Written |
| Individual Essay presentation | 10 | 15 minutes | 10 | Verbal |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 hour examination | 1.5 hour examination | 1-7, 10 | August/September reassessment period |
| 5,000 word essay | 5,000 word essay | 1-10 | August/September reassessment period |
| 15 minute essay presentation | 15 minute presentation to module leader | 10 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Ronnie D. Lipschutz. 2004. Global Environmental Politics: Power, Perspectives, and Practice. Washington, DC: CQ Press.
Ken Conca and Geoffrey D. Dabelko. 2010. Green Planet Blues: Four Decades of Global Environmental Politics, 4th Edition. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.
Paul F. Steinberg and Stacy D. VanDeveer. 2012. Comparative Environmental Politics: Theory, Practice, and Prospects. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Deborah Lynn Guber. 2003. The Grassroots of a Green Revolution: Polling America on the Environment. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Pamela S. Chasek, David L. Downie, and Janet Welsh Brown (2013). Global Environmental Politics, 6th Edition. New York, NY: Westview Press.
ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Statistical software resources
- Institute for Digital Research and Education's “Resources to help you learn R" page at www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/r/
- Code School's “Try R” short course at http://tryr.codeschool.com/
- Quick R website at http://www.statmethods.net
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
Documentaries
This section provides a handful of documentaries on environmental issues discussed in class. While far from exhaustive, these videos provide a useful starting point for understanding the difficulties (and opportunities) associated with solving global environmental problems.
- Climate of Doubt." http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/climate-of-doubt/
- The Inconvenient Truth." http://www.takepart.com/an-inconvenient-truth/film
- The 11th Hour." http://www.11thhourfilm.com/11th-hour-film-documentary.htm
- Crude." http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/crude-real-price-of-oil/
- The End of the Line." http://endoftheline.com/
- A Fierce Green Fire." http://www.afiercegreenfire.com/
- Who Killed the Electric Car?" http://www.whokilledtheelectriccar.com/
- Trashed." http://www.trashedfilm.com/
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15.0 |
| Module pre-requisites | none |
| Module co-requisites | none |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 24/01/2014 |
| Last revision date | 24/01/2014 |
