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Overview

Key topics will include: • Characteristics of neoliberal governance and ‘Neoliberalism’ • Different rationales for changing approaches to governance (across social and environmental issues) • Different approaches to securing power • Changing social norms and behaviours • The interface with environmental change, governance and politics. • Key concepts from social theory and political ecology to explore the above

Case studies to explore the different dimensions and impacts of governance change including: • Privatisation – of resources such as water, energy and social housing • Welfare reform • Deregulation and devolvement of State power and responsibilities (e.g. for environmental protection) • Commodification and the creation of new markets e.g. ‘ecosystem goods and services’ • The rising influence of the financial sector in new areas (e.g. food markets and agricultural securities). • New enclosures – including forms of contemporary land grabbing. • Resistance – how and why neoliberalisation is being contested and rejected.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold (D) -Be able to demonstrate adequate knowledge of the different forms of social and environmental governance.. Presentation of appropriate examples to demonstrate the political-economic, socio-cultural and environmental processes involved and their impacts upon society and the environment. Basic application of key concepts from social theory and political-ecology to evaluate relevant case-studies.

-good -(B) Clear understanding and thorough knowledge of the different forms of social and environmental governance. Highly structured, accurate and relevant descriptions of appropriate examples to demonstrate the political-economic, socio-cultural and environmental processes involved and their impacts upon society and the environment. Critical evaluation of concepts and case studies. High standard of presentation. Evidence of reading and knowledge of recent developments in the subject.

-excellent -(A) In addition to the above, evidence of substantial reading from a variety of sources (e.g. books, journal articles and research reports), and advanced knowledge of recent developments in the subject. Advanced critical evaluation of concepts and case studies. Elegant and flowing presentation, with flair for subject.

Learning Outcomes

• Apply key concepts from social theory and political-ecology to evaluate the impacts of changing approaches to governance on society and the environment.

• Critically evaluate appropriate case studies to demonstrate changing approaches to social and environmental governance.

• Describe the major imperatives, benefits and constraints of a ‘neoliberal approach’ to governance.

• Identify the characteristics of, and reasons for, changing approaches to social and environmental governance, since the early 1980s.