International development
Political Ecology and Environmental Justice
Module code: 013IDS
Level 6
30 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Seminar
Assessment modes: Coursework, Essay
We will engage with environmental justice concerns through the lens of political ecology.
Political ecology is a broad set of theoretical and methodological approaches (incorporating feminist political ecologies, urban political ecologies and decolonial political ecologies) that helps us to understand the relationship between environmental change and social (in)justice.
We will explore the origins of political ecology through:
- human geography, anthropology and ecological Marxism
- the emergence of critical challenges from feminist and decolonial political ecologists
- exploring the relationship between political ecology and other disciplines such as science and technology studies.
The second section of the course will provide you with the methodological and practical training required for your assignments.
We will also look at case studies drawing on current issues of political ecological concern (for example, meat consumption, Green New Deals, lithium mining).
Module learning outcomes
- Demonstrate a systematic knowledge and understanding of key theoretical perspectives on political ecology and environmental justice
- Critically reflect on the ideas, theories and assumptions underpinning contemporary policies and movements for addressing environmental (in)justice
- Critically analyse cases of environmental (in)justice in a range of geographical contexts, drawing on approaches from political ecology
- Independently identify and explore appropriate case studies, and communicate environmental (in)justice concerns to a public audience
- Critically apply knowledge of political ecology analysis to make judgements and recommendations in relation to contemporary case studies of environmental (in)justice