Skip to main content
nounstudy
POL326

Environmental Politics

This course explores the multifaceted field of environmental politics, examining the interplay between environmental issues and political systems. It delves into the principles, scope, and challenges of environmental politics, covering topics such as environmental resources, quality, and policy. The course also investigates environmental problems like deforestation, pollution, and waste disposal, alongside strategies for managing and conserving natural resources. Furthermore, it addresses environmental justice, activism, and the democratic decentralization of resource management, providing a comprehensive understanding of environmental governance.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
65 hours
Maths
Basic
Content
Theoretical, case study, problem solving
Practical work
No
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor Marked Assessments
  • Final Examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

POL326 · UNIT 1 PRINCIPLES, AIMS AND SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS

To start with, let us familiarise ourselves with this course “Environmental Politics” by understanding the meaning of certain concepts and terms that are contained therein.

What you should be able to do

  1. Define key environmental concepts and principles
  2. Analyze environmental problems and their impacts
  3. Evaluate environmental policies and regulations
  4. Apply environmental management strategies
  5. Promote environmental justice and sustainability

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Policy Analyst
  • Sustainability Manager
  • Environmental Advocate
  • Resource Manager
Where it is applied
  • Government Agencies
  • Non-profit Organizations
  • Consulting Firms
  • Energy Sector
  • Agricultural Sector

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 1: The Environment

    Unit 3: Quality and Planning of the Environment

    Requires understanding of complex interactions between various environmental components and human activities.

  • Module 2: Environmental Problems

    Unit 2: Pollution

    Requires understanding of the complex chemical processes and long-term health implications.

  • Module 4: Natural Resources and Environmental Impact Assessment

    Unit 4: Environmental Impact Assessment

    Requires understanding of legal frameworks, policy implementation, and stakeholder engagement.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 57 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: The Environment
    • Unit 1: Principle, Aim and Scope of Environmental Politics · 3 hours

      Define environment, natural resources, environmental assets, biodiversity.. Discuss the scope of environmental politics..

    • Unit 2: Environmental Resources · 2 hours

      Identify components of the environment.. Classify natural resources.. Discuss the replenishing attributes of environmental resources..

  2. Week 2Module 1: The Environment
    • Unit 3: Quality and Planning of the Environment · 3 hours

      Explain the environmental planning process.. Assess the quality of your immediate environment.. Highlight the qualities of a good environment..

    • Unit 4: Environmental Policy · 2 hours

      Discuss the influence of environmental politics on human activities.. Explain considerations in harmonizing the environment..

  3. Week 3Module 2: Environmental Problems
    • Unit 1: Deforestation · 4 hours

      Define deforestation.. Describe the various types of forests.. Explain the importance of forests.. Describe the consequences of deforestation..

  4. Week 4Module 2: Environmental Problems
    • Unit 2: Pollution · 4 hours

      Define and explain pollution.. Discuss the various types of environmental pollution: land, water, and air..

  5. Week 5Module 2: Environmental Problems
    • Unit 3: Waste Disposal System · 3 hours

      Classify wastes.. Describe waste disposal methods.. Discuss the effects of poor waste disposal systems..

    • Unit 4: Human Health · 2 hours

      Describe the influences of industrial activities on human health.. Explain the risks of children in a contaminated environment..

  6. Week 6Module 3: Management and Conservation of Environmental Resources
    • Unit 1: Environmental Management · 4 hours

      Present viewpoints and approaches to environmental management.. Describe methods for managing environmental resources..

  7. Week 7Module 3: Management and Conservation of Environmental Resources
    • Unit 2: Environmental Conservation · 4 hours

      Name and explain conservation techniques for forests.. Identify how wildlife is conserved.. Describe systems of mining mineral resources..

  8. Week 8Module 3: Management and Conservation of Environmental Resources
    • Unit 3: Conflict and Collaboration in Natural Resource Management · 4 hours

      Explain sources of conflicts in natural resources management.. Describe mechanisms governing conducive management of natural resources.. Discuss strategies for conflict management.. Identify opportunities for turning conflict into collaboration..

  9. Week 9Module 4: Natural Resources and Environmental Impact Assessment
    • Unit 1: Environmental Justice · 4 hours

      Explain the meaning of environmental justice.. Distinguish between environmental justice and environmental injustice.. Highlight the principles of environmental justice and relate them to the Nigerian situation..

  10. Week 10Module 4: Natural Resources and Environmental Impact Assessment
    • Unit 2: Environmental Activism · 4 hours

      Trace the emergence of environmental activism.. Explain the institutional profile of environmental activism.. Describe the activities of environmental activists.. Analyse the strategies adopted by environmental activists..

  11. Week 11Module 4: Natural Resources and Environmental Impact Assessment
    • Unit 3: Democratic Decentralization of Natural Resources Management · 4 hours

      Highlight key issues in democratic decentralization of natural resources management.. Discuss problems with measuring efficiency of decentralization.. Describe outcomes of decentralization of natural resources management..

  12. Week 12Module 4: Natural Resources and Environmental Impact Assessment
    • Unit 4: Environmental Impact Assessment · 4 hours

      Mention guidelines and goals of Environmental Impact Assessment Agencies.. Explain provisions related to emergence of Environmental Impact Assessment in developing countries.. Assess performance of Environmental Impact Assessment Agencies in developing countries..

  13. Week 13All Modules
    • Final Revision · 6 hours

      Review all course materials.. Work on assignments and TMAs.. Prepare for final examinations..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create concept maps linking environmental principles to real-world examples.
  • Practice analyzing case studies of environmental policies and their outcomes.
  • Review key legislation and regulations related to environmental protection.
  • Focus on understanding the different perspectives of stakeholders in environmental issues.
  • Develop critical thinking skills to evaluate the effectiveness of environmental management strategies.

Questions students ask about this course

What is POL326 about?

This course explores the multifaceted field of environmental politics, examining the interplay between environmental issues and political systems. It delves into the principles, scope, and challenges of environmental politics, covering topics such as environmental resources, quality, and policy. The course also investigates environmental problems like deforestation, pollution, and waste disposal, alongside strategies for managing and conserving natural resources. Furthermore, it addresses environmental justice, activism, and the democratic decentralization of resource management, providing a comprehensive understanding of environmental governance.

How many units does POL326 have?

POL326, Environmental Politics, has 13 units across 4 modules, over 68 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is POL326?

POL326 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Social Sciences.

Is POL326 hard?

POL326 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, case study and problem solving work.

How long does POL326 take to study?

About 65 hours of study, spread across its 13 units.

How is POL326 assessed?

POL326 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.

What can I do with POL326?

Environmental Consultant, Policy Analyst, Sustainability Manager, Environmental Advocate and Resource Manager.

More courses in Social Sciences

MAC333

Media Station Management and Operation

3 credit units

Open MAC333
INR332

War And Peace In West Africa Since 1960

2 credit units

Open INR332
ECO341

Macro-Economic Theory I

3 credit units

Open ECO341