International development

Political Ecology and Environmental Justice

Module code: 013IDS
Level 6
30 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Seminar
Assessment modes: Essay, Coursework

In the first part of this module we'll

  • explore the origins of political ecology in currents of human geography, anthropology and ecological Marxism
  • examine the emergence of critical challenges from feminist and decolonial political ecologists
  • explore the relationship between political ecology and other disciplines such as science & technology studies.

The second section of the module will provide you with the methodological and practical training required for your assignments. The third section of the course will consist of a series of case studies drawing on current issues of political ecological concern (for example, meat consumption, Green New Deals, lithium mining). 

Your assessments for this course will encourage you to approach political ecology as a ‘public facing’ discipline that engages with social movements. You'll submit a short group-produced podcast highlighting an environmental justice concern, drawing on your emerging understanding of political ecology analysis. These could be global or local in scope (for example, fracking, environmental racism and air pollution, carbon offsetting, pipeline developments on indigenous territories). The final assessment will be a long-form blog submission designed to enhance public understanding of a contemporary environmental justice concern.

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