Description
This module provides a foundation in environmental human geography and environmental social science. It traces the emergence of environmental management as a specific practice through the rise of environmentalism and concern for environmental protection.
In doing so it encourages critical reflection on the relationship between humans and ‘nature’ as well as the tensions inherent in the various social relations and interests that underlie engagement with the environment.
This critical perspective is extended to problematise prominent principles of environmental management (such as sustainable development, ecosystem services and environmental behaviour change) and to examine them in relation to environmental policy and management practices.
These draw on:
- Local, national and international case studies relating to planning and development;
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Agri-Environment Schemes
- Payments for Ecosystem Services
- Environmental policy implementation
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation
- Participatory decision processes
In sum, the module demonstrates the value of a theoretically grounded social scientific approach for understanding and implementing contemporary approaches to environmental management.
Assessment
Key skills
- Critical thinking
- Ability to contextualise environmental issues and contemporary approaches to their management
- Applying theory to understanding practice
- Using case studies to demonstrate social scientific theory