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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2013/2014
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Social and Political Science : Postgrad (School of Social and Political Studies)

Postgraduate Course: Global Environmental Politics (PGSP11299)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Social and Political Science CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Course typeStandard AvailabilityAvailable to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) Credits20
Home subject areaPostgrad (School of Social and Political Studies) Other subject areaNone
Course website None Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionThis course examines the key actors and political dynamics shaping global environmental politics. Environmental challenges are profoundly political and involve issues of power, sovereignty, justice and political action. The global dimension of environmental issues pose distinctive and powerful challenges. Who are the key actors shaping global environmental politics? What are the main challenges and why do they take the form they do? What makes agreement so difficult to achieve? In this course students will draw on scholarship from environmental politics and international relations to help understand the distinctive challenges and dynamics of global environmental politics.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus?No
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2013/14 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1) Learn enabled:  Yes Quota:  17
Web Timetable Web Timetable
Course Start Date 13/01/2014
Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 176 )
Additional Notes
Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. develop a critical understanding of the main areas of study, including key concepts, actors and dynamics characterizing global environmental politics
2. engage critically with the work of major environmental politics and international relations scholars, and evaluate their arguments in the light of the practical dilemmas posed by global environmental challenges;
3. assess competing claims and make informed judgments about current complex issues in global environmental politics;
4. develop their ability to present - in written and verbal form -- coherent, balanced arguments surrounding contemporary global environmental issues, actors and dynamics;
5. Use a range of research skills to plan and execute a significant project of research on a major global environmental issue.
Assessment Information
1. Policy Report : 3000 - 3500 words (75%)
Students will choose from a list of global agreements (convention, accord or protocol, etc.) on an international environmental issues (including climate change, biodiversity, or sustainable development) . The reports will include a brief overview, a substantive analysis explaining why the agreement took the form it did, and an evaluation of its impact or prospects.

2. Seminar performance (25%)
Seminar performance will comprise: seminar attendance and participation; weekly reading summaries, individual and group presentations. These will be explained fully to the students in week 1 and monitored by the convenor throughout. Student will receive a (non-binding) mid-term seminar mark and indication of their seminar strengths and weaknesses.
Special Arrangements
Resource Implications :
Only limited new library resources would be required. But administrative support and flexibility would be needed, especially as the course involves students from multiple programmes.
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus This course will examine the context, key actors and issues shaping contemporary global environmental politics. Cross cutting themes include challenges of collective action, environmental security and justice

PART I: CONTEXT
Week 1
Introduction: The Environmental Politics Context
What makes environmental politics distinctive? Is there an 'environmental crisis'?

Week 2: The International Politics context
Sovereignty, security, justice

PART II: ACTORS
Week 3
States and governments

Week 4
Non-governmental organisations and actors;

Week 5
Business actors

Week 6
Scientific Experts

Week 7
International Organisations and Regimes

PART III: ISSUES
Week 8
Sustainable development/ (including North-South relations)

Week 9
Climate change 1

Week 10
Climate change 2
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list Adger, N and Jordan, A (eds) (2009) Governing Sustainability (Cambridge)
Axelrod, R. Downie, D and Vig, N. (eds.) (2005) The Global Environment. (CQ Press)
Carter, N. (2007) Politics of the Environment (Cambridge)
Held, D et al (ed.) (2011) The Governance of Climate Change (Polity)
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Elizabeth Bomberg
Tel: (0131 6)50 4248
Email: e.bomberg@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMrs Gillian Macdonald
Tel: (0131 6)51 3244
Email: gillian.macdonald@ed.ac.uk
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