Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

The world faces multiple crises: climate change, environmental degradation, loss of nature and biodiversity and competition over natural resources. While these crises are very different, they share the same common explanation, human overuse of natural resources. In the module, we will focus on how politics shape the individual, institutional and structural conditions for the overuse of resources. The module is also guided by the idea that any possible solutions are fundamentally political and social, even if they also have technical aspects. For instance, while a green transformation of the economy requires a combination of new and existing energy sources, then any implementation requires political support and social acceptance. The module thus aims to improve students’ understanding of the issues, dilemmas and conflicts connected to the crises. This concerns both the origins of the crises and the possible solutions. 

Learning objectives

Knowledge

• Understanding the political background of the interconnected global crises of climate change, environmental degradation, loss of nature and biodiversity, and competition over natural resources
• Familiarity with the political and social processes involved in implementing environmental transformations, such as transitioning to green energy sources
• Insight into the dilemmas and conflicts arising from environmental and resource-related crises. 

Skills

• Ability to critically analyze the underlying political and social causes of environmental and resource crises
• Capacity to evaluate the political and social dimensions of proposed environmental solutions

Competences

• Competence in applying political science theories and concepts to environmental and resource-related issues
• Ability to understand and address the socio-political conflicts that may arise from environmental changes and initiatives

Type of instruction

Lectures and exercises 

Extent and expected workload

Appears in the semesterdescription in moodle

Exam

Exams

Additional information

Kontakt Study Board of Politics and Society