Global Environmental Politics

Summary of module for applicants:

This module looks at one of the key issues and potential crises with which international relations must deal in the twenty first century. The module begins by asking what global environmental politics are and outlines and critiques different theories and interpretations of the environment in ‘crisis’. It considers how political theory and ideas have responded to the notion of environmental crisis – impacting on establishes ideas and generating new theory. The module examines the ways in which established areas of international relations scholarship – those concerned with governance, development, security and conflict - have responded to environmental challenges. The module considers the responses to global environmental change including green capitalism, sustainable growth and development, the ‘greening’ of political parties and policy making, environmental social movements and organizations and environmental politics in international organizations. The module ends with a consideration of the ways in which environmental change is represented in the media, and in particular the emergence of the notion of ‘eco-terrorism’ post 9/11.

By the end of the module, you will be able to assess and distinguish between the main theoretical approaches in global environmental politics in terms of their central concepts, and their strengths and weaknesses and be able to evaluate the ways in which theories concretise themselves in political institutions and their associated practices.

Main topics of study:

Global environmental politics and political theory

• What are global environmental politics?
• Is there an environmental ‘crisis’?
• The environment in political theory: varieties of environmentalism/ecologism

Impacts of global environmental change

• Environmental security and insecurity
• Environmental justice
• Explanations of global environmental change: resource scarcity, social hierarchy and development

Responses to global environmental change

• Market responses: green capitalism, sustainable growth and development
• Political responses 1: the ‘greening’ of political parties and policy making
• Political responses 2: environmental social movements and organizations
• Political responses 3:  environmental politics in international organizations

Representing environmental change

• Media representations of environmental issues and organizations – theories and case studies
• Post 9/11 – ‘Eco-terrorism’

Learning Outcomes for the module

• Digital Proficiency - Code = (DP)
• Industry Connections - Code = (IC)
• Emotional Intelligence Development - Code = (EID)
• Social Intelligence Development - Code = (SID)
• Physical Intelligence Development - Code = (PID)
• Cultural Intelligence Development - Code = (CID)
• Community Connections - Code = (CC)
• UEL Give-Back - Code = (UGB)
• Cognitive Intelligence – Code = (COI)

Knowledge

1. Assess and distinguish between the main theoretical approaches in global environmental politics in terms of their central concepts, and their strengths and weaknesses. (CID, COI, SID)

2. Critically evaluate the impacts of global environmental change and the range of political responses to them by policy makers, citizen activists and the media. (CID, COI, SID)

Thinking skills

3. Select relevant arguments and data to understand environmental issues in international politics. (CID, CI, SID)

4. Evaluate international political behaviour with respect to global environmental change, and understand its links to the social-economic framework. (CC, CID, COI, SID)

Subject-based practical skills

5. Collect and analyse data related to the study of global environmental politics. (CID, COI, SID)

6. Ulitise online data retrieval systems to gain information relevant to a study of global environmental politics. (DP, COI)

Skills for life and work (general skills)

7. Present data and produce essays and presentations - orally, visually and in writing. (DP, EID, SID, PID)