PO1PCC-Politics of Climate Change

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr David Marshall
Email: d.j.marshall@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Climate change is the defining issue of this century with a range of severe consequences predicted. This module introduces students to important political challenges and debates on climate change, analysing how and why decisions are made as well as the consequences and  underlying ethical issues. The module is designed and taught in such a way as to reflect the importance and relevance of climate change across the wider discipline of political science, which includes comparative politics, international relations and political theory. This will be achieved through analysing climate change across a number of interconnected settings, including conflict, international negotiations, climate justice, public opinion, party politics and the making of government policy. At the end of the course students will have developed a clear understanding of the politics and contested nature of sustainable climate solutions.

Aims:

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of how political processes, both international and grassroots, shape our responses to climate change. Students will be introduced to the normative implications of potential solutions as well as how and why decision are made or not made.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module students are expected to:

• demonstrate understanding of how political processes, both international and grassroots, shape our responses to climate change;


• define the normative implications of potential solutions to climate change;


• work in a team setting to critically evaluate data related to the module;


• present arguments and ideas persuasively;


• apply academic analysis and argument to a non-academic policy orientated audience;  


• apply the logic and theoretical understanding developed in this module to a range of environmental issues and contemporary public debates.

Additional outcomes:

The module will further allow students to develop the following skills:

• critical and reflective thinking


• informed and critical approaches to using primary and secondary sources


• Independent research skills


• Analysis and interpretation of data visuals

Outline content:

This is an example list – exact content may vary

Topics that will be discussed:

• Climate change: what are the challenges we face?


• International negotiation: how are decisions made and do they matter?


• Why do we get the domestic policies that we do?


• The ethics of geoengineering


• Public opinion toward climate change policies


• Green parties, strategies and electoral success

Global context:

The module will address the global phenomenon of climate change with emphasis placed on international, national and local political arenas. Examples will be drawn from across the world with the UK serving as a common reference point. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module is delivered through weekly lectures and seminars. Each lecture has a corresponding seminar. While the lectures are designed to give the broad overview of an aspect of climate politics, the student-centred seminars focus on a sub-set of problems linked to the lecture topic and informed by weekly compulsory readings. In addition, this module will include a session to prepare students for group work, and a session to introduce you to sustainability challenges within our institution (the University of Reading). 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		12
Seminars		10
Practicals classes and workshops		1
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		50
Preparation for seminars		50
Preparation of practical report		30
Group study tasks		10
Essay preparation		30
Reflection		7
Total hours by term	0	200	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	80
Practical skills assessment	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Assignment 1: Essay (1,500 words) accounting for 40%. Rolling deadline, 2 weeks after topic discussed in class.

Assignment 2: Essay (1,500 words) accounting for 40%. Rolling deadline, 2 weeks after topic discussed in class.

Assignment 3: Group work accounting for 20%. This comprises a discussion paper (1,000 words) which relies on the interpretation and description of data related to public opinion on climate change and/or climate policies.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

An overal mark of 40%

Reassessment arrangements:

If a student fails to pass the year at the first attempt there is an opportunity to be re-assessed on one further occasion at the next opportunity in those modules achieving a mark of less than 40%. Students who are eligible for re-assessment have the right to re-assessment in all elements even if they have previously passed one of those elements. It is expected, however, that the majority of students would probably elect not to repeat an element in which they had already passed, in which case the confirmed marks would be carried forward.

Coursework: Failed or missing coursework should be re-submitted on Blackboard within the specified resubmission period.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 30 March 2023