Environmental problems play an increasingly important role in contemporary politics. This course examines the role of ideologies and institutions in shaping environmental governance challenges from climate change and land-use conflicts to air and water pollution. Drawing from examples in New Zealand and around the globe, topics include limits to growth, sustainable development, ecological modernisation, ecolocalism and environmental justice.
From climate change and land use conflicts to water pollution and plastic waste, environmental problems play an increasingly important role in the contemporary political landscape. In this course we examine the relationship between the exercise of political power and environmental degradation, which opens up questions such as: what does it mean to be ‘green’ or ‘sustainable’? How do political institutions shape environmental policies and practices? Which actors should bear the costs of environmental problems and their solutions? This course critically examines the role of different ideologies and institutions in shaping these challenges and the solutions to them. It draws from examples around the globe. Topics include: water governance, tourism and sustainable development, climate change mitigation, ocean governance, biodiversity conservation, Indigenous environmental governance and environmental justice.
BA - Bachelor of Arts
This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures, a one-hour discussion session, 3 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 4 hours of work on assignments.
Prerequisite: 30 points at Stage II in Politics and International Relations, or POLITICS 106 and 30 points at Stage II in Global Environment and Sustainable Development, or 30 points at Stage II in BC courses
Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including lectures, discussion hours and group work activities to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. The course will not include live online events. Attendance on campus is not required for delivering assignments. The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Module I: Foundations: Concepts and Perspectives
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Textbook: There is no assigned course textbook. Canvas:Required readings are available in your Talis reading list link on the Canvas course page. Please ensure that your email address is current so that you receive course information and updates. Recommended:You may find useful the following textbooks for an overview of environmental politics as a field of research.
In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions. Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
Uploading PowerPoint files prior to the lectures; better integration of the readings into the lectures
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website.
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page .
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter.