Department of Politics and International Relations
- Politics and International Relations
- News & events
- News Archive 2024
- Developing a Critical Understanding of Environmental Activism through Active Learning
Developing a Critical Understanding of Environmental Activism through Active Learning
Posted on 13 April 2024
Dr Jeremy Moulton has a new article out on the online journal PS: Political Science & Politics.
The article "Developing a Critical Understanding of Environmental Activism through Active Learning" looks at Jeremy's experience of using role play and other active learning techniques in his teaching over the last five years.
Abstract
This article presents a short simulation active-learning exercise that can be used in political science undergraduate and postgraduate environmental politics courses to introduce and teach the subject of environmental activism. The exercise, which asks students to role play as determined environmental activists, draws on an analytical framework from Diani and Donati (1999) that provides a typology of nonpartisan political organizations. This “learning through typology” allows students to prioritize critical analysis while engaging with the subject matter in a creative and enjoyable way. The article provides the full process of the exercise, from the grounding in the framework and provision of contextual examples, to the running of the simulation, and finally to the presentation of students’ work and a group debriefing session. This exercise therefore adds to the growing use of simulations and active learning in the increasingly prominent field of environmental politics.