Environment, Development and Policy
(MA) Environment, Development and Policy
Entry for 2025
FHEQ level
This course is set at Level 7 (Masters) in the national Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.
Course Aims
The Environment, Development & Policy (EDP) programme provides an advanced introduction to the analysis of environmental change and natural resource management, mainly but not exclusively in developing countries, and considers how environmental concerns can be addressed in decision-making and policy-making. It concentrates upon the issues surrounding the Political Economy of the Environment and how scientific knowledge is incorporated into a broader policy spectrum, especially in development planning. It is intended for three main categories of students. 1) Those with a good first degree in the social sciences (usually a UK 2(i) or better) who wish to deepen their knowledge and understanding of environment and development issues. 2) Those with a good degree in other relevant disciplines e.g. Environmental Science or Ecology who wish to apply their knowledge to development issues and broaden their knowledge of the social dimensions of environmental and conservation policy. 3) Those who have field and administrative experience and are interested in researching or working in the field of environmental management in developing countries, and for those hoping to embark on related careers. Students are encouraged to combine theoretical insights with practical awareness of the issues involved in the formulation of environmental policies for developing countries.
Course learning outcomes
Analytical skills necessary to understand environmental issues in the context of relevant social and economic theories and processes of development
Wide ranging multi-disciplinary approach enabling students to locate environmental issues in their broad social, cultural, political and economic context
Knowledge of a range of specific issues and conflicts regarding the interactions between development processes and the environment
Ability to develop and evaluate policy options relevant to environment and development
The ability to present concise and cogently structured arguments, both orally and in writing
The ability to carry out critical analysis on complex issues related to the discipline
The ability to apply a range of skills in the retrieval and use of primary and secondary sources
The ability to relate theoretical concerns to practical issues in the context of policy, project interventions and research
The ability to apply a range of skills for the analysis of variety of relevant data sources
Full-time course composition
| Year | Term | Status | Module | Credits | FHEQ level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Autumn Semester | Core | Critical Debates in Development Theory (807AF) | 30 | 7 |
| Core | Political Economy of the Environment (802AF) | 30 | 7 | ||
| Spring Semester | Core | Research Methods and Professional Skills (012L2) | 15 | 7 | |
| Option | Activism for Development and Social Justice (843L6) | 30 | 7 | ||
| Climate change: Impacts and Adaptation (838F8) | 30 | 7 | |||
| Critical Debates in Environment and Development (928AF) | 30 | 7 | |||
| Decolonising, Diversifying and Demythologising (002ID7) | 30 | 7 | |||
| Doing Gender in Theory and Practice (350D7) | 30 | 7 | |||
| Environment, Resources, Security (709IR) | 30 | 7 | |||
| Fair Trade, Ethical Business & New Moral Economies (845L6) | 30 | 7 | |||
| Knowledge, Power and Resistance (822L6) | 30 | 7 | |||
| Poverty, Vulnerability and the Global Economy (821L6) | 30 | 7 | |||
| Summer Teaching | Core | Dissertation (EDP) (822AF) | 45 | 7 | |
| Option | Dissertation with Placement (Global Studies) (003L7) | 45 | 7 |
Part-time course composition
Please note that the University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver courses and modules in accordance with the descriptions set out here. However, the University keeps its courses and modules under review with the aim of enhancing quality. Some changes may therefore be made to the form or content of courses or modules shown as part of the normal process of curriculum management.
The University reserves the right to make changes to the contents or methods of delivery of, or to discontinue, merge or combine modules, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the University reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the University withdraws or discontinues a module, it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative module.