MSc Sociological Research / Course details

The course will be divided into four core segments with each segment focusing on a particular type of environmental sustainability issue and each week devoted specifically to a different issue within that ‘genre’.  Where possible these will be mapped alongside the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The course will apply a critical sociological lens to each environmental sustainability issue, exploring the societal impact but also where relevant critiquing techno-centric solutions to such issues and evaluating unintended consequences. Guest lecturers from across the university with research expertise in such problems will help students to build up a portfolio of current environmental sustainability issues and how they are being addressed.  The course will advocate for the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in tackling the ‘wicked problems of the Anthropocene’ (Sardar, 2010), and the vital role of social science.

To provide an opportunity for students to explore and critically reflect on key contemporary environmental sustainability issues, mapping these alongside the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To support students in exploring the social impacts and inequalities of contemporary environmental sustainability issues.

To support students in applying a sociological lens to key environmental sustainability issues and particularly techno-centric approaches. 
 

Identify and explain core environmental sustainability issues and the dynamic relations between environment and society

Analyse and critique core environmental sustainability issues through a sociological lens.

Describe and critique key environmental sustainability issues.

Evaluate competing analytical perspectives.

Assess the strengths and weaknesses of empirical evidence

Use electronic resources, including padlet, mentimeter and library resources

Undertake independent research

Write about key environmental sustainability issues evaluating and critiquing competing analytical perspectives.

Have a core understanding of and be able to explain key environmental sustainability issues and their connections to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Be able to develop a critical approach to issues of environmental sustainability and to assess their social impact. 
 

3000 word essay