The Politics of Climate Change
| Module title | The Politics of Climate Change |
|---|---|
| Module code | POL3074 |
| Academic year | 2020/1 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Professor Duncan Russel (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 25 |
|---|
Module description
This module introduces you to the political and governance challenges presented by climate change. In so doing, it will demonstrate that producing effective climate policy is an inherently complex activity because of: the politicisation of climate science; issues surrounding intra and intergenerational equity; the interconnectedness of climate change and sustainable development; the cross-sectoral and multi-actor dynamics of climate issues; the interactions between different governance scales; and the vested interests of powerful states. For successful completion of the module you will need to have a strong background in politics, international relations or human geography.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to examine why the issue of climate change is so difficult to address. While being rooted in concepts from political science, it aims to provide a platform through which the climate change problematique can be analysed from different disciplinary and theoretical perspectives. Through a mixture of role play, discussions, seminar presentations and group work it seeks to facilitate student learning around key aspects of climate change governance.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. demonstrate in-depth understanding of the role and perspectives of different actors involved in climate policy
- 2. show detailed knowledge of the complexities of addressing climate change across different policy sectors and governance scales
- 3. evaluate critically policy initiatives to tackle climate change
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. think critically, analyse debates and present coherent arguments from a political science perspective
- 5. evaluate critically the effectiveness of policy
- 6. demonstrate in-depth understand of the reasons for and barriers to policy intervention
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. produce high quality written and visual material;
- 8. evaluate effectively ideas and debates;
- 9. interact and work with fellow students effectively, and in a cooperative manner;
- 10. reflect critically on own learning and practice;
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Challenges of climate change mitigation governance
- Challenges of climate adaptation governance
- The Political economy of climate change: the role of markets and business
- Climate policy instruments
- Politicisation of climate science
- Climate scepticism
- Public understanding and engagement with climate change
- International dimensions of climate change – Development, equity and justice
- International dimensions of climate change – Human rights and migration politics
- International dimensions of climate change – international policy
- Climate change and sustainable futures
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 256 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 44 | 22 x 2 hour Seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 118 | Reading and seminar preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | 34 | Learning diary writing and preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | 4 | Role play preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | 20 | Poster research and preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | 80 | Case study research and writing |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case study plan | 1000 words | 1-8 | Written convener feedback and oral peer feedback |
| Sample learning diary | 450 words | 1-8, 10 | Written from lecturer and from peers |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 85 | 0 | 15 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Role play group presentation and participation | 15 | The role play will take place over two seminars. In total each group with formally present for 20 minutes. | 1, 2, 6 and 9 | written feedback at the end of the module |
| Poster | 15 | A3 | 1-8 | Written and oral feedback |
| Analytical Case Study | 30 | 3,000 words | 1-8 | Written feedback |
| Reflexive learning diary term 1 | 20 | Students reflect on their seminar learning approximately 150 words a week (total: 1500 words) | 1-8, 10 | Written feedback |
| Reflexive learning diary term 2 | 20 | Students reflect on their seminar learning approximately 150 words a week (total: 1500 words) | 1-8, 10 | Written feedback |
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Role play group presentation and participation | Oral viva (10 minutes) | 1,2,6 & 9 | Term 3 |
| Poster | Poster (A3) | 1-8 | August/September Re-assessment period |
| Analytical Case Study | Analytical Case-Study (3,000 words) | 1-8 | August/September Re-assessment period |
| Reflexive learning diary term 1 | Literature review (1,500 words) | 1-8, 10 | Term 2/Term 3 |
| Reflexive learning diary term 2 | Literature review (1,500 words) | 1-8, 10 | August/September Re-assessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
Brandstedt, E. and Bergrian, A (2013) Climate Rights: Feasible or not? Environmental Politics. Vol.22, issue 3, pp394-409
Jordan, A., & Huitema, D. (2014). Innovations in climate policy: the politics of invention, diffusion, and evaluation. Environmental Politics, 23(5), 715-734
Hulme, M (2009) Why we disagree about climate change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
Rayner, T .and Okereke, C. (2007) The Politics of Climate Change pp.116-135 in: The Politics of the Environment (ed.) Okereke, C., Routledge, London
Sanderson H, Hildén M, Russel DJ, Penha-Lopes G, Capriolo A (Eds.) (2018) Adapting the Future for Climate Change in Europe, New York: Elsevier.
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 10/03/2011 |
| Last revision date | 11/02/2019 |
