2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SLSP2931 The Sociology of the Environment

20 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Dr Terry Wassall
Email: t.wassall@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

Pre-requisite qualifications

Normally 40 credits from schemes of study within the Faculty of ESSL or related disciplines.

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

Global warming and climate change, industrial and agricultural pollution, deforestation, rising extinction rates, depletion of non renewable energy and natural resources, genetically modified organisms, increasing health risks - all point to the problematic nature of the relationship between human societies and the ecological systems they rely on. We are beginning to understand that the growing numbers of 'natural' disasters - for example floods, droughts, hurricanes - are not singular events but results of processes in which the development of human societies are deeply implicated. Scientific and technological advances will undoubtedly be important aspects of possible solutions to environmental problems, but the problems are the product of social processes and the uses of science and technology in social (political, economic, and cultural) contexts.This module investigates the proposition that all the main environmental issues and problems currently confronting us are the product of social processes as well as the results of natural processes. Social and natural processes are inextricably interwoven in both the production of environmental problems and their possible solutions. It is unlikely that most environmental problems will be solved without far reaching social changes. These social changes and their consequences for us and future generations should be of concern to everyone. Can sociology help us to tackle environmental problems? What can sociology tell us about the nature of the environment and about the origins and consequences of environmental risks, hazards and change?Contact: Dr Terry Wassall t.wassall@leeds.ac.uk or undergradsociologysocialpolicy@leeds.ac.uk

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate an accurate knowledge and understanding of the main theoretical approaches in sociology to understanding and explaining the historical emergence of the environment as a local, national and global problem.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the development of science and globalising capitalism and the role of science based technologies as both a source of environmental problems and possible solutions
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of some principal empirical studies of environmental movements and issues and the the skill of applying sociological approaches to particular examples of environmental issues
- Develop further the specific skills of sociological analysis and appreciation of contemporary sociological theories and policy positions in relation to environmental issues.
- Appreciate the challenges presented to existing sociological theories and political ideologies by the rise of environmental movements and ecological perspectives.
- Enhance their transferable skills of verbal and written communication through seminar work and work presented for assessment, and augment their practical I.T skills by accessing and using web-based course materials, searching the WWW and word-processing essays.

Syllabus

The module covers:
- Sociological theories and perspectives which have sought to include the natural as well as the social environment. The history of environmental problems in Britain and globally and the emergence and development of environmental campaigns, movements and organisations.
- Theoretical and epistemological approaches to understanding environmental problems and concerns, including: Beck's risk society thesis, Giddens's on time-space distanciation and reflexivity, critical realism, social constructionism and the revival of broadly Marxist ecological perspectives.
Contemporary 'ecocentric' ideas, including 'Deep Ecology', and the way that existing political ideologies have tried to incorporate environmental issues. Socialist and feminist arguments are analysed along with those of their critics.
- The main proposed theoretical and policy solutions to environmental problems, together with their critics. These include the discourse of 'sustainability', Green consumerist strategies, ecological modernisation and radical ecology alternatives. The arguments of critics are also considered and evaluated.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	20	1.00	20.00
Tutorial	8	1.00	8.00
Private study hours			172.00
Total Contact hours			28.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

3 hours reading per lecture: 60 hours;
3 hours reading per seminar: 24 hours;
Revision and exam preparation or assessment essays (includes formative essays): 88 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Seminar attendance, participation and 1 presentation;
2 formative essays of 1,500 words each (strongly recommended).

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2,500 words	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 30/04/2009

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