PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
(where stopping off points exist they should be detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme specification is applicable:
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
Teaching institution:
Faculty:
Parent Department:
(the department responsible for the administration of the programme)
Departmental web page address:
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the programme:
Length of the programme:
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such as study abroad or placements in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes )
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the programme and its assessment methods:
(see guidance notes)
MSc Environment, Politics and Society
MSc
From 2016-entry onwards
University College London
University College London
Social and Historical Sciences
Geography http://www.geog.ucl.ac.uk/admissions/masters/msc-environmentpolitics-and-society
Full time or Part time
An upper second class degree or equivalent in a relevant subject.
One year (Two years part time)
Level 7
No relevant postgraduate benchmark
Eight modules assessed through a variety of forms of coursework and a dissertation.
3 core modules:
GEOGG013 Environmental Knowledges (Book Review)
GEOGG044 Geo-politics (Essay)
GEOGG045 Environment, Politics and Practice (Group oral presentation and an individual project report)
Compulsory methods training module:
GEOGG040A Social Science Research Methods A (Research
Proposal)
Option:
4 optional modules

Board of Examiners:
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
Name of Board of Examiners:
Human Geography MSc Board of Examiners
N/A Date of next scheduled accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The taught course MSc is designed for students from a wide range of natural and social science backgrounds who want to explore the ways that scientific, political and cultural practices shape our understanding of the societyenvironment relationship. Our three core foci are the construction of scientific knowledge about environmental issues, exploration of the politics of the earth with a particular attention to the materiality of geo-politics and considerations of economic, political and cultural factors that inform decision making.
The MSc in Environment, Politics and Society has three main aims:
 to provide understanding of the social, economic, cultural and political processes through which expert and lay knowledges of environmental and political changes are produced, communicated and incorporated in decisionmaking
 to theorize the relationship between environment, politics and society
 to equip students with the range of social science methods and personal transferable skills which are necessary in social and environmental politics, practices and policy and for further research in this area.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
 key theoretical debates underpinning geo- and environment politics as it
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Students take three core modules which together advance critical thinking on the cultural, scientific and political dimensions of human-environment issues. These courses has emerged over the twentieth and twenty first century, paying specific attention to debates between realist and social constructionist positions; are taught weekly throughout terms one and two, organised around an integrated programme of lecture or seminar classes complemented by independent student research and coursework preparation. Understanding, discussion analysis of the production of natural scientific and, especially, social scientific knowledge claims about the human dimensions of environmental change over the last 30 years; and critical thinking on research traditions and key concepts in this specialism of human geography is delivered through seminars with internal experts, tutor directed seminar discussions, and student led discussions
 exploration of the politics of the earth. frameworks for understanding the differential ‘take-up’ of particular based around pre-circulated readings and prepared presentations. Active engagement in evaluating and comparing existing research into the scientific, cultural and political dimensions to the course is fostered through
(environmental) scientific discourses in geo- and environmental politics and policies at international, national and local levels. structured inter-disciplinary debates, in-depth international case studies, and day field visits to exhibitions and policy initiatives (e.g. Select Committees) in London. This is supplemented with a focus on engagement with practitioners including scientists, artists, policymakers and other professionals.

Assessment:
The modules are assessed through a 3000-word course paper or equivalent which develops and demonstrates student understanding of key philosophical, epistemological and theoretical debates in geography, through the lens of environment, politics and society relations. Assessments include reviews of literature and theory in the form of a book review, group oral presentations and research reports.
Intellectual (thinking) skills:

Apply knowledge of critical geographical and social theories to explore the power-knowledge relations between environment, politics and society; through this, gaining a deeper understanding of the popular bases of environmental concerns, the barriers to reflexivity that impede changes in practices at individual and institutional levels, and the material as well as discursive bases for geo-politics.
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Analyse how politics shapes and is shaped by environmental concerns including consideration of the ways in which policies are formed, promoted and implemented; evaluate the different forms of institutional and public participation in decisionmaking at local, national and international levels.
B: Skills and other attributes
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
The core modules and particularly the optional modules in term two offer students the opportunity to apply theoretical material to a range of relevant case studies at the local, national and international level. Students choose from a range of modules offered by the MSc in
Environment, Politics and Society as well as shared human geography modules and selected modules from the MSc in Conservation. The modules are usually delivered weekly, integrating seminar classes and workshops and complemented by independent student research and coursework. Background seminars and discussions featuring experts in their field develop the application of student knowledge to case studies and policy applications at different scales and in different policy areas. Workshop seminars develop active student engagement in the integration of theoretical and methodological concerns in relation to specific topic areas and policy applications through discussions with invited academic and policy experts, student-led presentations and discussions, and field visits.
Assessment:
Optional courses are assessed through 2000 or 3000word course papers which develop and demonstrate student understanding of key learning outcomes from each course. The range of assessment formats reflects individual module aims and includes critical evaluations of policy documents, essays and investigative case study reports.

Practical skills (able to):

Utilise appropriate social scientific research practices and evaluate evidence used by academics, the public sector and private institutions

Demonstrate critical appreciation of the specialist techniques required in practice in the fields of environment and geo-politics.

Be able to communicate to practical as well as academic audiences

Be able to deal with complex issues systematically and creatively
C: Skills and other attributes
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
The core modules develop understanding of the geopolitical and environmental practices, with a particular focus on exchanging ideas with leading field practitioners. This improves students ability to dialogue with academic and non-academic audiences and understand how to deal with complex geo- and environmental politics. This learning is enhanced through site visits as well as practitioners in the classroom.
The social science methods course delivers teaching on the principles and opportunities for practical engagement with a range of social science methodologies. Outline lectures provide students with an overview of the key philosophical and epistemological traditions underpinning research in the social sciences and to a range of social science research skills and methods.
These are then applied in a range of practical tasks to provide students with hands-on experience of those skills and to foster further skills in communication and group working. Dissertation-planning classes enable a deeper engagement with the practical skills required to apply core social science research methods, with past student and staff seminars encouraging an active preparation for research design.
Assessment:
The practical skills are assessed through a group oral presentation, a research project report, the development of research proposals and in optional modules group investor-directed brochures and grant proposals. The research dissertation (see below) also forms a key part of the assessment of practical skills.
Transferable skills (able to):
The research dissertation gives experience of developing and completing an advanced piece of research and independent thought. For those wishing to take a PhD, this in addition provides practical research skills of time management and working with a supervisor. For those wishing to pursue careers in commercial or public research and management, the research dissertation provides a high level of competence in project initiation and management, research skills, and written and oral presentation.
D: Skills and other attributes
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
The MSc has a compulsory research element which enable students to develop transferable skills.
The research dissertation is the final element of the
MSc, and through the successful design, implementation and completion of the project, each student is required to demonstrate their understanding of the MSc themes, transferable skills in project and research design, information collection and management, critical thinking and analysis, computing, communication and presentation. Students work on the detailed formulation and implementation of their research proposal with their allocated supervisor, who guides the research process, providing guidance on project and time management, research design and data analysis, and feedback on written material submitted before the end of term.

Assessment:
The dissertation is assessed through a 12,000 word study which comprises an argument drawn from the appropriate theoretical literature; a methodological design applicable to the topic and achievable within the four-month period; presentation of results; analysis of findings; conclusions and policy recommendations where appropriate. It also incorporates a small oral component (10%) at the proposal stage as both a means of encouraging the development of individual oral presentation skills as well as an opportunity to receive feedback on the dissertation project.
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Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s)
Name(s):
Date of Production:
Date of Review:
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
Dr Samuel Randalls
November 2014
October 2015
30 October 2015
November 2015