Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POC2114: Green Politics in Theory and Practice

This module descriptor refers to the 2023/4 academic year.

Please note that this module is only delivered on the Penryn Campus.

Module Aims

Environmental issues have become a major concern in both developed and developing countries. Environmental problems are closely related to and interact with developments at the national and global level. In this module, you will examine the history, ideals, goals, organisation, and key actors of environmental policy making in Britain and beyond. You will be familiarised with various competing national regulatory philosophies and look into political, economic and civil-societal approaches towards environmental regulation and protection. The implicit comparative perspective taken in this module will sensitise you to the challenges of generating effective international environmental policies. This will be further illuminated through a UN environmental conference simulation, which, in addition to  helping you understand the opportunities and constraints for effective worldwide environmental policy, will enhance your skills in negotiating – a key employability skill. The module will combine theoretical approaches with case studies of major episodes and controversies in policy areas such as badger culling, pesticide use and climate change.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Demonstrate good knowledge of environmental politics and engagement with major theoretical debates through discussions in seminars, written work and a simulation.
2. Apply your knowledge of a country case by negotiating a country’s environmental position in a simulation and writing reflectively about it afterwards.
Discipline-Specific Skills3. Assimilate taught materials and utilize them effectively to analyse environmental politics using key theoretical arguments.
4. Collect secondary material and use it to understand a particular case study.
Personal and Key Skills5. Research and write a critical essay.
6. Communicate complex arguments and negotiate.