SOC20360 Sociology of the Environment

Academic Year 2023/2024

In this module you will be introduced to environmental sociology with a focus on the interactions between human societies and the natural environment. By focussing on this two-way interaction, the module will examine key theoretical perspectives, debates, and issues within environmental sociology. The module considers interdisciplinary perspectives examining a range of topics such as environmental inequality, sustainability, public attitudes towards climate change, renewable energy, consumption, pollution, environmental social movements, climate-induced migration, green crime and transformation to ‘green societies’. These issues are examined at multiple levels, including rural and urban, local, and global, and from different perspectives of key stakeholders. The overall aim of this module is to provide an overview of key debates within environmental sociology and to examine contemporary environmental issues from a sociological perspective.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

1) Describe the interaction between society and the natural environment and key debates and issues in environmental sociology;

2) Examine environmental issues from a sociological perspective; taking into consideration a variety of contexts and viewpoints;

3) Reflect on and critically assess key debates and issues in environmental sociology.

Indicative Module Content:

Indicative Topics:
Theoretical perspectives (e.g. treadmill of production, ecofeminism, ecological modernisation theory)
Environmental social movements
Public Attitudes towards climate change
Environmental inequality
Climate-induced migration
Pollution
Consumption
Renewable energy
Sustainability
Green crime
Green and low-carbon societies






Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20
Autonomous Student Learning

105
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures; peer and group work; class debates and discussions, essay writing, reflective learning, critical writing, student led group projects and student presentations.

 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: 500 word response paper to one of the assigned readings. Week 5 n/a Graded No

15
Essay: 1,500 word essay Week 8 n/a Graded No

45
Group Project: Student led group projects (weeks 11 and 12). This consists of a short group report (template provided) and a group presentation. Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

40

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20 Thurs 14:00 - 14:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 Thurs 14:00 - 14:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 14:00 - 14:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
Spring