Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL3250: Environmental Policy in Times of Crisis

This module descriptor refers to the 2020/1 academic year.

Module Aims

The module aims to introduce you to the concept and development of environmental policy in light of the recent economic crisis and Brexit. In so doing, it will encourage you to consider: the environment as a policy problem; the evolution of EU and British environmental policy, the ‘leaders’ and ‘laggards’ in environmental policy; the opportunities and challenges arising from the economic crisis and Brexit to the EU and the UK respectively; and the investigation of some case studies.

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. Critically analyse the interplay between the economic crisis, Brexit and the changes and evolution of environmental policy, over the long term and from a European and British perspective.
2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the environmental, political, economic and social impact of the recent economic crisis and Brexit negotiations on environmental policy.
Discipline-Specific Skills3. Critically reflect on key elements of the environmental debates regarding the actions, intentions and ambitions of the EU and the UK environmental policy.
4. Display awareness of a range of conceptual frameworks to understand the changing dynamics and trends in environmental policy at the international level.
Personal and Key Skills5. Demonstrate an ability to problematize settled ‘truths’ and assumptions about the state of the environment and our knowledge of these.
6. Demonstrate awareness of the evolution and effectiveness of environmental policy.
7. Study independently and manage time and assessment deadlines effectively.
8. Communicate effectively in speech and writing.
9. Demonstrate critical and analytical skills through tutorial discussions and module assessments.
10. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of the internet, online journal databases and other IT resources for the purposes of tutorial and assessment preparation.
11. Demonstrate effective applied writing.