Devolutionary Politics

Unit 1: Devolution in the UK

Devolution – the process of shifting control from a central government to subnational authorities – has given several British regions increased say over environmental matters. But devolution is far from clearcut…and many powers remain reserved by the UK’s central government based in Westminster.

The Brexit vote and subsequent policy negotiations have signalled a growing interest in localised control. Yet effective responses to climate change require global coordination, not small-scale thinking. In today’s complex world, is devolution a barrier to environmental action, or might it be part of the solution?

Learning Objective: Explain how devolution in the UK political system is influencing environmental management and climate action at the local, national, and global scale

Student Checklist:

click on each topic below to review course materials
engage with the “Devolution Debate” class discussions throughout field studies

Topic 1A: Introducing Devolution

What is ‘devolution’, as a political process?
Broadly speaking, virtually every country practices some form of devolution. In the UK, though, there is a very particular way that often-clashing regions balance local autonomy and national cooperation.

Topic 1B: Understanding Scotland

When did devolution in the contemporary UK begin?
Scotland and England have a tumultuous history. Westminster entertained legislation about Scottish home rule in 1913 - and though that particular round of demands was interrupted by the First World War, the appetite for political change never died.

Topic 1C: Valuing Wales

How does a relatively resource-poor ‘underdog’ build a strong local government?
Wales is home to some of the most deprived areas of the UK, with nearly 1 in 3 children living in poverty. Yet devolution has helped the nation save a dying language, restore ruined ecosystems, and improve those statistics.

Topic 1D: Appreciating Cornwall

Why is Cornwall - a region of England - included in a course on devolution?
In 2015, Cornwall became the first rural council in England to sign a devolution deal with the UK Government. A movement continues to press for the County of Cornwall to have increased powers; some even hope for full independence...

Unit 1 Assignment Details: Devolution Debates

A Signature Seminar is an intensive field experience focused on active, engaged learning beyond the traditional classroom. This is reflected in the assessment of the course, with 25% of the grade coming from participation and critical reflection during field studies. Students are expected to demonstrate their knowledge of and curiosity about devolutionary politics through the questions they ask of guest speakers and the thoughts they share during class discussions.

Grading Rubric

Students are expected to:

contribute to the seminar discussions at the end of each unit through both interventions and active listening (10 points)
attend – and give their full attention to – all required site visits (7 points)
ask questions of our guest speakers and local hosts (4 points)
support group logistics by being on time, helping with set-up and clean-up in communal spaces, and being a team player (4 points)

Note: The Teaching Team recognises that students will have varying levels of comfort speaking up in groups, especially around relative strangers. All students are encouraged to push themselves in productive ways, and should be assured that there will be multiple opportunities to engage in smaller group settings as well as in front of the full group.

Additionally, meaningful participation involves stepping back to allow others to take the spotlight as much as it does speaking up. This portion of the Seminar grade will be assessed based on how well students incorporate a variety of perspectives, rather than simply allowing the loudest voice to have the strongest say.

Students can ask the Teaching Team for an indicative grade on their participation level at any point during the course.