Course syllabus - Environment and Politics

Objectives

The course introduces how the relationship between environment and politics have been understood in political science, and aims to discuss the possibilities or impediments to political action in a time of climate change. The purpose of the course is to foster knowledge about the emergence of the environment as a specific policy field, as well as to develop the students' capacity to understand, explain and adapt to an increasingly complex and changing environment.

Learning outcomes

After completed course, the student will be able to:
 
Knowledge and understanding
1. Account for different theoretical perspectives on the environment;
2. Describe how the environmental social movement has been organized in different political contexts;
3. Describe the interplay between different political levels when environmental policy is to be implemented; 
 
Skills and competence
4. Apply theories of political science to study the social and political dimensions of the environment;
5. Problematize differences in the implementation of environmental policy at different policy levels;
6. Reflect on the prerequisites for successful international cooperation in the area of environmental politics;
 
Judgement and approach
7. Evaluate the capacity of key theories of political science to understand and explain the social and political ramifications of global climate change;
8. Critically reflect on the possibilities and obstacles for climate action at different policy levels;
9. Demonstrate a critical and scientific approach

Course content

The course discusses one of the most acute political problems faced by humanity today: global climate change. During the course, we will discuss and problematize different theoretical perspectives on the relationship between environment and politics, as well as on the relationship between humanity and nature. The course consists of two modules. Module 1 focuses on so called green ideology: the challenge that traditional theories of political science face when confronted with global climate change. Module 2 focuses on the environment as a policy problem. Topics discussed during module 2 include how traditional organizations and parties, such as the UN and green parties, understands and handles the environment. How is climate change understood in political discourse?

Requirements

General entry requirements

Examination

Home exam (HEM1): 5 Credits. Grades:  Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with distinction (VG).
Written assignment: 2 Credits. Grades: Fail (U), Pass (G).
Seminar participation: 0,5 Credits. Grades: Fail (U), Pass (G).

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Three-grade scale