Admission requirements
This course is part of the minor Public Risk and Disaster, taught at The Hague by a lecturer from Leiden University. The course can only be taken within the framework of participation in the minor PRD.
Description
Climate change is very much a political challenge. Preventing it from turning into a disaster demands clear political decision-making and actions. Yet, even though climate scientists strongly agree that climate change is a very urgent problem, it appears to be a difficult issue to solve politically. In this course, we will delve into the perspectives of a wide variety of political actors, all with varying positionings towards the problem, and see how they are blocking or might bring opportunities to tackle it. This will include the following actors:
Those that are actively blocking solutions, such as climate change denialists and anti-environmentalist interest groups.
Ones (actually the majority of citizens) who in theory want to solve the issue, but in their actual behavior are working against it (e.g., by continuing unsustainable consumptions patterns).
Those that through a change of frames or via activism try the solve the problem (e.g. Extinction Rebellion).
Scientist, policy-makers, and politicians who are involved in all sorts of efforts to tackle it (e.g., technological solutions, political agreements)
Course objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will:
Have a general overview of the most important actors who are involved in climate change politics
Understand why and how they are enabling or constraining solving the issue
See the links between climate change politics and disaster politics (e.g., of terrorism and natural disasters) more generally
Timetable
On the right side of programme front page of the studyguide you will find links to the website and timetables, uSis and Brightspace
Mode of instruction
This course consists of 7 lectures. These will be dedicated to (guest) lectures and group discussion. Students are required to participate actively in class discussion. Attendance is mandatory.
Assessment method
Assessment for this course is based on two assignments:
Midterm: Group assignment
30% of final grade
Resit not possible
Grade needs to be compensated
Final exam: individually written paper
70% of the final grade
5.5 is required to pass the course
Resit is possible
Resit will take the same form
The calculated grade of the assignments must be at least 5.50 in order to pass the course. Students are also permitted to resit the 70% assignment if they have a calculated overall grade lower than 5.50.
Reading list
The literature will consist of academic texts, links to which will be provided in the syllabus.
Registration
To be announced by OSC staff.
Contact
t.j.a.van.dooremalen@fgga.leidenuniv.nl