External summary

Addressing global environmental issues such as climate change, sustainable development and biodiversity requires knowledge of the political, moral and societal dimensions shaping environmental problems and possible solutions.  This degree brings together the University’s considerable, multi-disciplinary expertise on environmental issues, focusing especially on teaching and research strengths in science-societal relations, climate justice, international and comparative environmental politics.

The degrees learning outcomes will allow students to:

• develop a critical understanding of the key concepts, actors and dynamics characterizing global environmental problems and solutions;
• engage critically with different disciplinary and theoretical perspectives on environmental issues, especially political, ethical and societal;
• assess competing claims and make informed judgments about current global environmental politics, ethics and society;
• develop their ability to present - in written and verbal form – coherent, balanced arguments surrounding contemporary global environmental challenges, actors and dynamics;
• Use a range of research skills to plan and execute a significant project of research on a major global environmental challenge.

Educational aims of programme

The programme seeks to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the multifaceted dimensions of environmental themes, with particular attention given to the political, moral and societal dynamics shaping environmental issues and responses to them. It will develop students’ understanding by providing a rigorous conceptual and theoretical understanding combined with practical application to ‘real-life’ issues and cases.

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding

Graduates will gain knowledge and understanding of

• the key concepts,  actors and dynamics characterizing global environmental issues
• different disciplinary perspectives (especially the political, normative and societal) on global environmental issues and how they shape human understanding of and action on the science and practice of environmental problems
• competing claims made about current complex issues in global environmental politics, ethics and society, especially in relation to climate change, sustainable development and biodiversity.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry

Students on this programme will develop their ability to present - in written and verbal form – coherent, balanced arguments surrounding contemporary global environmental issues, actors and dynamics.  Written assessment with feedback provided, combined with individual and group oral presentations and feedback from them, will help students develop and refine these skills.

In addition to the skills developed through course assignments and requirements, students will also use a range of research skills to plan and execute a significant project of research on a major global environmental issue.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy

To help develop their personal and intellectual autonomy, students will be encouraged to work independently both in their coursework and, especially, in their final project. The importance of remaining open to different ‘ideas, methods and ways of thinking’ will be underlined by exposure to different perspectives and competing claims on environmental problems and solutions.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication

The opportunity for students to develop communication skills will be ensured through on-going coursework and activities.  These will include group work and presentations. The latter will feature feedback from peers and convenor not just on the content but on presentation skills.  Moreover, students embarking on project-based  report will develop further communication skills when applying for, and interacting with, their host organisation.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness

By exposing students to both rigorous theoretical frameworks and practical  applications,  the programme will help students build the intellectual confidence needed to understand complex environmental issues, and make decisions based on this expertise.  Moreover the aim of ‘understanding social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities and issues’ is integral to the substance of this degree progamme, which analyses global environmental challenges and potential solutions. The programme thus complements the University’s emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility issues, as expressed in the University’s Social Responsibility and Sustainability strategies.

Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills

Students will develop practical skills in terms of presentation skills, group work and, for those taking on the project based report,  interaction with public or private sector. The degree does not involve other ‘high-level technical skills, e.g. those involving significant time within the laboratory.’

Programme structure and features

SCCF credit points and exit awards: 

Successful completion of 180 credits is required for an award of MSc: 120 taught credits (level 11) plus 60 credits for dissertation or project based report.  Students completing only 120 taught credits may be eligible for a degree of Postgraduate Diploma.

Programme Structure

The programme includes

A. 20 credits:  one required core course in Sem 1: Global Environment: Key Issues (PGSPXXXX)

B. 20 credits: choice of one of the following subject courses in Sem 2

• Global Environmental Politics (PGSP 11249)
• Climate Change, Justice & Responsibility (PLIT11016)
• Global Environment & Society (PGSPXXX)

C. 60 credits: dissertation or project-based report

D. 80 optional credits from a list of relevant courses from several Schools 

Modes of study: MSc full-time (12 months) or part-time (24 months)

Progression: To progress to the research dissertation or project stage, students must achieve at least 50% in Global Environment: Key Issues (PGSPXXXX), and in ONE of the following: Global Environmental Politics (PGSP 11249);  Climate Change, Justice & Responsibility (PLIT11016); or  Global Environment & Society (PGSPXXX).

Teaching and learning methods and strategies

GEPS courses include a broad range of teaching and learning methods.  Most courses included brief lecture but focus primarily on more interactie methods including student debate, individual or group presentations, small group discussion. The School has its own reading room and computing lab for SPS students. In semester 2 an innovative learning week features dozens of opportunities for exciting workshops and events linked to problem-based learning, creating learning space, using film and social media.

Assessment methods and strategies

The courses taken in Year 1 will include a variety of assessment methods, including essays and reports, policy briefs, but also seminar presentation, diaries and reflections. Feedback is provided on all written work; most assessed presentations will also receive written or verbal feedback. Required courses will include chance for formative assessment.  In Year 2 students may write a research dissertation or apply to take part in a work-based project.

Career opportunities

The MSc in Global Environment, Politics and Society opens up a wide variety of career opportunities and scope for further study. This social science-based, multidisciplinary, practice-oriented programme enables students to understand and analyse environmental concerns in their context and prepares them to inhabit spaces that require both academic and practical skills. Some career pathways include work in an international environmental or development NGO professional, government agency, environmental journalism or further study.

Other items

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