Department of European Studies & Modern Languages, Unit Catalogue 2008/09 |
EU30028 French national option F12: Environnement, société, développement |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Honours |
| Semester: 2 |
| Assessment: ES67CW33 |
| Requisites: |
| Before taking this unit you must take EU20011 |
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Aims:
* To explore environmental problems in terms of their political and social dimensions and present the main debates on their nature and severity; * to evaluate the impact of the environmental debate in France by reference to public opinion and the media; * to assess the impact of EU policy-making; * to promote understanding of environmental policy-making processes at the international level; * to outline the nature, scope and impact of sustainable development discourses. Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to: * demonstrate familiarity with key concepts related to environmental issues and sustainability; * evaluate different types of discourse and argument related to the environment; * identify and use different ways of analysing environmental problems; * demonstate understanding of the interaction between social, political, economic and physical desiderata in the amelioration of environmental problems; * demonstrate knowledge of the drivers of environmental policy in national and international contexts; * demonstate understanding of the roles of different actors, including policy-makers, NGOs, firms, consumers and citizens; * evaluate different types of policy content and instruments, and assess their strengths and weaknesses; * show understanding of the challenges posed by sustainable development for the future; * discuss issues raised in French. Skills: Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, effective communication in the target language, and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are developed and assessed in this unit. Content: The major themes studied are: * the ideas behind environmentalism and political ecology; * the impact of environmental ideas on the media and on public opinion; * green politics in France today; * environmental policy-making in France and the EU; * interpretations of sustainable development; * global issues, such as climate change, and the role of international treaties. The unit is taught in French. |