Entry requirements

60 credits

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• explain the connections between climate change, conflicts and geopolitical power relations;
• critically review and analyse global power relations and apply an equity perspective on the climate change challenge;
• analyse and interpret different theories of leadership, cooperation, organisation and communication for a functioning leadership within the area of climate change;
• critically relate to prerequisites, possibilities and limitations for a sustainable leadership on different levels;
• analyse and evaluate proposed solutions within the climate field and their opportunities, limitations and risks;
• apply skills within leadership, cooperation, organisation and communication specifically connected to different future scenarios within the climate field.

Content

This course is based in an introduction to climate change, sustainable development, and leadership, with a focus on science, power, and politics. It explores the scientific debate on climate change and delves into various scientific perspectives on the climate issue, along with a basic scientific review of climate change over geological and historical time. Based on the multidisciplinary understanding established in the first half of the course within natural science, environmental history, and economic history, a framework and prerequisites for effective leadership in the climate area are defined, with a focus on leadership, communication, collaboration, and organization for sustainable development. The discussion is further problematized from a number of overarching perspectives within political philosophy, ethics, justice, international agreements, conflicts, conflict resolution, responsibility, and ecological debt.

Instruction

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars and workshops. The lectures are given by guest lecturers from various academic disciplines and relevant areas of society. Ample opportunities are provided for active student participation and critical reflection. Non-compulsory study visits or equivalent may occur.

Assessment

The student is examined through written preparation for (4 credits) and active participation in seminars and workshops (3 credits), and through written documentation (7 credits) and oral presentation (1 credit) of a project.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.

Other regulations

Active participation is reassessed through a re-seminar. If a student after having been offered a re-seminar still does not meet the requirements to pass the active participation elements the examiner can choose reassessment by another method.

This course cannot be included in a degree together with the course 1MV077 Climate change leadership - power, politics and culture.