2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PIED2505 Planet Politics

20 creditsClass Size: 40

Module manager: Dr Jan Selby
Email: j.selby@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

From the atmosphere to Antarctic ice sheets, the Earth has been fundamentally transformed by human activity: we now inhabit a ‘human planet’. At the same time, from mining and agriculture to modern patterns of resource consumption, humankind has become utterly dependent on the very activities that have caused these transformations. Moreover, far from being automatic or inevitable, these transformations are deeply political on multiple levels – in their causes, in their consequences, and in the many arguments and differences over how to respond to them. This module will introduce students to some of this ‘Planet Politics’. It will consider question such as: Are we on the verge of a planetary ecological crisis? Is capitalism the problem, or the solution? Are there just too many people? Is meaningful international environmental cooperation possible? What are the vested interests obstructing change? What forms of social resistance are appropriate? And what is ‘environmental justice’? Examining both key environmental and resource issues and the main approaches to studying them, the module ultimately poses some of the biggest questions of all about life on a finite ball of rock hurtling through space: how should we live, and what should we do?

Objectives

On completion of the module, you will be able to make independent assessments of key issues and debates in the study of environmental and resource politics. You will also be able to appraise competing theories, and demonstrate a critical understanding of the variety of source material relating to the subjects studied. This will be achieved through lectures, private study, class discussion, and independent research.

Learning outcomes
1. Demonstrate an understanding of planet politics by describing, recalling, applying, analysing and appraising knowledge achieved through the course.
2. Evaluate and apply different theoretical/analytical perspectives from within the study of planet politics which will be used in lectures and seminars to analyse and explain particular developments.
3. Demonstrate a capacity to work independently to describe, explain and evaluate an environmental or resource issue of students’ choosing.

Syllabus

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	11	1.00	11.00
Private study hours			178.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Presentation of group research projects, including primary research, in seminars during the middle section of the module.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Coursework	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

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

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 29/04/2024 16:19:20

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