School of Law, Politics and Sociology

Climate Change & Environmental Gov (977M9)

Climate Change and Environmental Governance

Module 977M9

Module details for 2026/27.

15 credits

FHEQ Level 7 (Masters)

Module Outline

This module combines new insights from environmental political theory, sociology, political science and International Relations to provide students with advanced and nuanced insight to how climate change challenges democratic subjects, processes and institutions. Students will encounter different ways to conceptualise recent and drastic environmental changes and interrogate to what extent existing democratic tools and processes are capable of addressing them. The module will explore how national and international governments act on climate change and discuss the promise of alternative approaches to climate politics, including civil society action and Rights for Nature.

Module learning outcomes

Demonstrate understanding of how different strands of social science scholarship conceptualise climate change as planetary catastrophe

Identify key actors, institutions and decisions within the realm of global environmental governance

Critically reflect on how climate change challenges existing parameters of democratic politics

Independently analyse an issue within contemporary environmental politics using relevant literature, theory and empirical data

TypeTimingWeighting
Essay (4000 words)Semester 1 Assessment Week 1 Mon 16:00100.00%
Timing

Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.

Weighting

Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.

TermMethodDurationWeek pattern
Autumn SemesterSeminar2 hours11111111111

How to read the week pattern

The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.

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