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Environmental policy in times of crisis

Module description

After a long period in the doldrums, environmental issues are now on the frontline of mainstream politics affecting various sectors of business, society, and citizens' life. This module investigates the evolution and challenges of EU and British environmental policy in the wake of the recent economic crisis, Brexit, and COVID-19. In this course, you will have the opportunity to study and critique the latest developments of environmental policy from a European and British perspective. You will also explore topics such as the environment as a policy problem; the historical development of EU and British environmental policy, environmental leaders and laggards, and the impacts of the recent economic crisis, Brexit, and COVID-19. 

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module aims to introduce you to the concept and development of environmental policy in light of the recent economic crisis, Brexit and COVID-19. In so doing, it will encourage you to consider: the environment as a policy problem; the evolution of EU and British environmental policy, the ‘leaders’ and ‘laggards’ in environmental policy; the opportunities, challenges, and impacts derived from the economic crisis, Brexit, and Covid-19; and the investigation of some case studies.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Demonstrate an understanding of core concepts in environmental policy.
• 2. Summarize and apply key empirical data relating to environmental policy.
• 3. Describe and summarize key issues in European and UK environmental policy.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Apply abstract theoretical ideas and concepts to actual events and outcomes.
• 5. Construct well-structured rigorous arguments that are based on logical deduction.
• 6. Evaluate the effectiveness of and barriers to policy interventions.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Communicate effectively in writing.
• 8. Work effectively to a deadline.
• 9. Reflect on your own process of learning.

Syllabus plan

‘Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:’

• The environment as a policy problem
• EU Environmental Policy
• British Environmental policy
• Environmental Leaders and Laggards
• EU Economic crisis and environmental policy
• Policy windows of opportunities or policy dismantling
• Brexit and Environmental policy
• Case Study 1: Agriculture post Brexit
• Case Study 2: Climate Change post Brexit
• COVID-19 and the environment

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to redo the assessment(s) as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Key words search

EU and British environmental policy, economic crisis, Brexit, Covid-19, environment