- An undergraduate course
in
Environment, Development and International Studies
and
Social Sciences.
Earth in crisis: environmental policy in an international context
- On this page
| Course facts | |
|---|---|
| About this course: | |
| Course code | DU311 |
| Credits | 60 |
| OU Level | 3 |
| SCQF level | 10 |
| FHEQ level | 6 |
| Course work includes: | |
| 6 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| Examination | |
| No residential school | |
This innovative course explores the causes and consequences of a range of international environmental problems and resource conflicts, including loss of biological diversity, water allocation and urbanisation. Particular attention is paid to climate change. You’ll learn how political divisions, inequalities and contentions over values and knowledge can hinder policy responses to environmental problems, and evaluate what can and should be done in the future at both political and individual levels. The course is ideal if you wish to develop a policy-relevant understanding of international environmental problems for either personal interest or career development.
Modules at Level 3 assume that you are suitably prepared for study at this level. If you want to take a single module to satisfy your career development needs or pursue particular interests, you don’t need to start at Level 1 but you do need to have adequately prepared yourself for OU study in some other way. Check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service to make sure that you are sufficiently prepared.
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What you will study
The contemporary world faces an unprecedented environmental challenge. Whether we look at global problems like climate change and pollution of the atmosphere, or more regional and local problems like loss of species, habitats and livelihoods, increasingly, international responses are sought to these dilemmas. Yet the global reach of this environmental challenge, and the complexity of causes and potential solutions, means that policy responses are also intertwined with issues of development, international justice and responsibility. This course engages with this environmental crisis, and asks: what are the causes and consequences of environmental problems; what has been the political and policy responses to them; and what else could or should be done in the future? In assessing environmental policy in an international context, the course will help you to develop a better understanding of the range of these challenges. It will help you to understand the underlying social processes that shape them, and the conceptual and theoretical tools you need to analyse them. The course draws on ideas from a range of social science disciplines including geography and environmental studies; politics and international studies; economics; and development studies.
The course is divided into three blocks: Block 1 A Warming World; Block 2 Environmental Issues and Responses; and Block 3 Prospects and Possibilities. Each block has a book as a core component, accompanied by a range of online videos, audio and web-based interactive resources. As well as the conceptual skills you will learn, the course will also help you to develop your skills as an independent learner, equipping you with both the intellectual and key communication and study skills appropriate for Level 3 study.
Block 1 A Warming World introduces one of the biggest, and most complex, of today’s environmental problems – climate change – in order to develop an overview of many of the issues, problems and constraints that recur throughout the course. Taking climate change as its focal point, Block 1 considers a range of perspectives on environmental problems including the relationship between science and policy, the international politics of environmental negotiations, economic and technological responses and the implications of presenting environmental problems as security threats. Through this, Block 1 establishes a ‘toolkit’ of concepts and ideas, which will enable you to become conceptually equipped to consider other international environmental problems. An online video on climate change (looking at Bangladesh and around the Thames estuary), audio programmes and a range of web-based activities will illuminate the subject and help you understand the issues and themes addressed in this block.
Block 2 Environmental Issues and Responses broadens out from climate change to consider a wide range of processes and problems. In some ways Block 2 is an extended look at ‘what is taking place in relation to international environmental problems today’. It begins by considering environmental implications of global and historical developmental trends – population growth, industrialisation and urbanisation – which help to shape the environmental problems we face, and set the international terrain on which they are addressed. These trends raise major questions about the world’s ability to pursue industrial development without compromising environmental sustainability and about the environmental effects of the world’s growing urban population. Block 2 then focuses on how global environmental resources such as water, biodiversity and agricultural land are managed internationally, nationally and at the local level. Here you will be asking how environmental issues around water, biodiversity and food production and consumption come to be defined and constructed as a problem, as well as the contests over policy responses that have been generated. Block 2 concludes by addressing the international political, legal and economic dimensions of global environmental governance. It assesses the character and importance of formal intergovernmental institutions, agreements and law, and the policies emanating from those arrangements. It also draws attention to wider notions of environmental crime and harm, the ways in which governance of the international economy shapes and constrains responses to environmental problems, as well as business-centred notions of environmental regulation and responsibility. The themes examined in Block 2 will be supported by online video programmes, by audio programmes and a range of interactive web-based activities.
The responses considered in Blocks 1 and 2 demonstrate a mixed record in response to environmental crises. In contrast to the first two blocks, Block 3 Prospects and Possibilities considers what might be done differently in the future. Where and how can we build on the successes that have been achieved and overcome the constraints we face? And what can you do as an environmentally aware citizen and consumer? Block 3 considers a range of actors and social movements operating in places and through networks at a variety of scales from local to international, but all with potentially global significance. It searches for various currently marginal but potentially inspiring practices and policy options both in industrialised countries and developing countries. You will be looking at examples of change within current structures, including consumer movements and new forms of governance, as well as at some more radical attempts to change structures. In addition to examining what kinds of change may be feasible, Block 3 also considers what might be desirable, from a variety of standpoints and in relation to concepts of social and environmental justice.
This course is an ideal next step from Level 2 study. You will consolidate a variety of study skills that you have learnt at Levels 1 and 2. However, in addition, as a Level 3 course, DU311 has a strong independent learning component, which includes step-by-step development of independent learning skills such as how to research sources outside of study materials, and how to evaluate and integrate them into your analysis. Specific web-based activities are combined with the course continuous assessment through the first two blocks developing your use of external material.
Vocational relevance
This course provides a sophisticated understanding of the processes and players that shape contemporary international environmental problems. It offers an interdisciplinary view of these, and the policy responses and debates that have arisen, drawing widely from the social sciences. As such, it is an invaluable guide to those interested in making sense of contemporary international environmental problems and wishing to analyse and evaluate questions of public policy and action in this increasingly important sphere. This makes the course especially valuable if you work in any organisation, public or private, that operates in the environmental field, particularly those with an international orientation, or which seeks to influence public policy and debate on international environmental matters. The study of DU311 will equip you with a range of transferable skills, including how to conduct independent research and evaluate diverse sources, which are sought after in a number of areas including environmental management and policy, and planning.
Are you are interested in geography? This module will broaden your outlook. If you are also interested in going on to further study for a PGCE you will find our booklet Becoming a teacher useful.
Entry
DU311 is a Level 3 course. Level 3 courses build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from previous studies at Levels 1 and 2. They are intended only for students who have recent experience of higher education in a related subject.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Preparatory work
As this is a Level 3 course, we expect that you will already have studied one or more Level 2 courses at The Open University and will therefore have the necessary skills to study this course. If you have not already studied at Level 2, then you should consult the Faculty of Social Sciences for information about the level of competence expected on entry to Level 3 courses. Useful prior courses are Introducing the social sciences (DD101), Environment (U216), Living in a globalised world (DD205), International development: making sense of a changing world (TD223) or Power, dissent, equality: understanding contemporary politics (DD203).
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Module Regulations and the Student Regulations which are available on our Essential documents website.
If you have a disability
Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader. Musical notation and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Other alternative formats of the course materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you have particular study requirements please tell us as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Visit our Services for disabled students website for more information, including:
- help to determine your study requirements and how to request the support that you need
- Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs)
- using a computer for OU study
- equipment and other support services that we offer
- examination arrangements
- how to contact us for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Study materials
What's included
Course books and website.
Computing requirements
You will need a computer with internet access to study this course as it includes online activities, which you can access using a web browser.
- If you have purchased a new desktop or laptop computer since 2007 you should have no problems completing the online activities.
- If you’ve got a netbook, tablet or other mobile computing device check our Technical requirements section.
- If you use an Apple Mac you will need OS X 10.6 or later.
You can also visit the Technical requirements section for further computing information including the details of the support we provide.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material. They will mark and comment on your written work, and you can ask them for advice and guidance. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
Assessment is an essential part of the teaching, so you are expected to complete it all. You will be given more detailed information when you begin the course.
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in February 2014. We expect it to be available again October 2014. We then expect it to be available once a year, in October.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button.
Student Reviews
“A very interesting course which I struggled with at first. My tutor was very supportive and the course materials were ...”
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“I thoroughly enjoyed this course, and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in environmental politics. It covers a ...”
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Distance learning
The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move. As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor or study adviser will guide and advise you, offer detailed feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online tutorials, or by phone.
For more information read Distance learning explained.
Undergraduate
| Course facts | |
|---|---|
| About this course: | |
| Course code | DU311 |
| Credits | 60 |
| OU Level | 3 |
| SCQF level | 10 |
| FHEQ level | 6 |
| Course work includes: | |
| 6 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| Examination | |
| No residential school | |
Your questions
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