Environmental Communication DUMF5079

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Social and Environmental Sustainability
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

Environmental Communication is concerned with the application of some foundational principles and practices of communication to environmental issues. It investigates and assesses the ways in which, e.g., environmental groups, scientists, communities, anti-environmental groups, corporations, and public officials attempt to deliver effective environmental messages.

Timetable

3 contact hours per week, consisting of an interactive lecture/seminar period.

Requirements of Entry

Entry onto a relevant PGT programme.

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Assessment

Short written assignment (max 1000 words) worth 25% of total grade, due around Week 7.

Essay of 3000 words worth 75% of the total grade, due in the weeks following the teaching period.

 

Reassessment

In accordance with the University's Code of Assessment reassessments are normally set for all courses which do not contribute to the honours classifications. For non honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students, and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions are listed below in this box.

Course Aims

The course aims to:

1. Introduce students to some of the fundamental principles of communication theory.

2. Explore the application of these principles across a range of sources, media and audiences.

3. Assess the effectiveness of communication techniques and strategies found in a range of case studies.

4. Develop the student's ability to create appropriate and effective environmental messages.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a satisfactory level of understanding of some of the fundamental principles of communication theory.

2. Identify and analyse the application of these principles in the communication of environmental issues from a range of sources, in a range of media, to a range of audiences.

3. Assess the effectiveness of communication techniques and strategies found in a range of case studies.

4. Generate appropriate and effective environmental messages.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.