This course explores the social, political and environmental context of mega-technologies that affect, or promise to affect, the environment with high consequence risks and hazards. Technological change has engendered major policy debates worldwide concerning environmental sustainability, risk and public distrust, uncertainty, complexity, and environmental management, regulation and good governance. This is the 'politics of life', or 'biopolitics', where 'bio' means life or, in our context, socio-technological systems. Topics include genetic engineering (especially, the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms), nanotechnology, and renewable, CSG and nuclear energy systems, and participatory systems of governance. This course is timetabled in condensed mode. All contact hours will occur in Weeks 1 - 6. 30% of assessment is done in weeks 1-6, with the 70% in weeks 7-9 (reflective journal in week 7, and essay in week 9). Incompatible: 3361AES Global Environmental Policy Making; 3361AES Biopolitics and Nature Prerequisite: Completion of 80CP.
10 (10)
Arrangements apply
New students (Non-grandfathered students)
Band 4
Grandfathered students
Band 2A