Présentation
General undergraduate knowledge of International Relations (IR).
This course looks at one of the crucial issues which international relations must address in the 21st century.
The course begins by asking what ‘climate and environmental politics’ is and outlines and critiques the various theories and interpretations of the ‘climate in crisis’. It then considers how political theory and ideas have responded to the idea of a climate crisis – impacting on established ideas and generating new theory. The course examines the ways in which established areas of international relations scholarship – concerned with governance, development, security, and conflict – have addressed environmental challenges. The course also considers some of the responses to environmental change, including green capitalism as well as the ‘greening’ of political parties and policies, environmental social movements and organisations, and environmental politics within international organisations. Finally, the course examines the ways in which climate and environmental change has usually been represented in the media and the emergence of the notion of ‘eco-terrorism’ post 9/11.
Modalités
By the end of the course, students should be able to assess and distinguish between the main theoretical approaches in climate and environmental politics in terms of their core concepts, as well as their strengths and weaknesses, and be able to evaluate the ways in which these theories concretise themselves in political institutions and their associated practices.
Knowledge
1. Assess and distinguish between the different theoretical approaches in climate and environmental politics in terms of their concepts, and their strengths and weaknesses.
2. Critically evaluate the impacts of climate and environmental change and the range of market and political responses by the private sector, policy makers, citizen activists, and the media.
Thinking Skills
3. Select arguments and data to understand climate and environmental politics within the discipline of international relations.
4. Assess international behaviour with respect to climate and environmental politics and understand its links to social-economic frameworks.
Subject-Based Practical Skills
5. Collect and analyse data related to climate and environmental politics.
6. Use online data retrieval systems in order to gain information relevant to the study of climate and environmental politics.
Skills for Life and Work (General Skills)
7. Present data and produce one reflection report and one short essay in writing.
Ressources
Comprehensive bibliographical references are provided in the course syllabus. They consist in one textbook and a number of additional readings for each session of the course.