module specification

SC6059 - Environmental Justice (2025/26)

Module specification Module approved to run in 2025/26
Module title Environmental Justice
Module level Honours (06)
Credit rating for module 15
School School of Social Sciences and Professions
Total study hours 150
 
105 hours Guided independent study
45 hours Scheduled learning & teaching activities
Assessment components
Type Weighting Qualifying mark Description
Coursework 20%   Digital Poster
Coursework 80%   Essay, 2000 words OR Podcast or vlog, 10 minutes
Running in 2025/26

(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change)		 No instances running in the year

Module summary

This module will delve into the key issues of eco-criminology, also known as green criminology, such as deforestation, environmental toxic waste, wildlife crime and the trade on endangered species. It will explore the dynamics between corporate environmental crimes and the victims, often small communities, in shaping environmental justice. This module will also evaluate the regulations, policies and laws that address environmental harms, such as setting  restrictions on the type and amount of pollution a company can emit, including the challenges and dilemmas that policymakers encounter. Furthermore, this module will explore how breaches of these policies/regulations and laws are handled at a local, and at a global level, in developed and developing countries, as well as the challenges of a common action at a global level to eliminate the unequal distribution of environmental harm.

The module aims:

  1. To provide you with an outline of the key concepts and challenges in the research of green criminology
  2. To evaluate the main theoretical debates, and how law enforcement bodies deal with green crimes, especially when victims happen to be non-humans
  3. To critically analyse the challenges that researchers and law enforcement bodies encounter when investigating environmental crimes.

Prior learning requirements

Available for Study Abroad? YES

Syllabus

This module will focus on the following key subjects:

  • UK and global environmental pressures
  • Environmental justice and policy making
  • Inequality, human rights, and intergenerational justice
  • Animal rights and environmental change
  • Poverty and pollution
  • Health, diet and sustainability
  • Climate change solutions and renewable energy technologies
  • Studying, policing and punishing environmental crime.

Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity

Each teaching session runs through a three hours long workshop in a computer lab. Tutorial support is offered throughout the module by way of tutor availability during office hours, discussions and email. In workshops, you will be actively engaged in practical
activities related to qualitative data analysis with support from your tutor.

This module will be supported with relevant WebLearn pages where all lecture and workshop notes, relevant literature, NVivo manuals, and other sources will be available. All sessions will be recorded with Panopto and will be always available to you.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this module you will be able to:

  1. Critically appraise the key issues surrounding green criminology and environmental justice
  2. Develop the ability to critically evaluate the different regulations, policies and laws against environmental harms, and their effectiveness
  3. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the key debates of cases where victims are non-human species
  4. Develop an understanding of the systemic environmental inequalities.

Assessment strategy

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT- Digital Poster (in preparation for the essay/podcast/vlog)

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT - Essay (2000 words) OR Podcast /vlog (10 minutes)

Bibliography