POLI9004 The Politics of Climate Change

2019

4.5

1 x 3-hour seminar weekly

1 of GOVT9008, POLI9008 has been successfully completed

Twenty-four units completed in any one of these majors, Politics, International Relations, Public Policy, History, Sociology, Development Studies, Environmental Studies, or completion of an approved degree, or equivalent qualification, from an approved tertiary institution. The Faculty Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit students who can show evidence of fitness for candidature based on relevant work experience.

Completion of a Bachelor Degree suitable for qualification for entry into Honours in Politics or requirements as listed for Graduate Certificate in International Relations; Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management; Graduate Diploma in Environmental Management; Graduate Diploma in International Relations; Graduate Diploma in Public Administration; Masters in Environmental Management; Masters in International Relations and Master of Public Administration; Master of Environmental Health

Topic examines how governments, the United Nations and the environment movement in Australia and Europe address climate change. Seminars begin by focusing on readings from social and political theorist, Anthony Giddens' recent book, The Politics of Climate Change and testing the heuristic value of the methodology for studying environmental politics outlined in John Dryzek's book, The Politics of the Earth. Depending upon the interests of students, subsequent seminars may include analysis of debates over the science of climate change as articulated by the 'IPPC consensus', 'alarmist' and 'skeptic' positions; analysing the prospects of international treaties on emissions reduction; analysing the history of the Kyoto Protocol process; comparing advantages and disadvantages of emissions trading and carbon taxes; assessing the prospects for international cooperation on the spread of nuclear power technologies and assessing the pathways for India, China and developing nations in joining an international emissions trading regime. Seminars will also allow for students to adopt role play advocacy based on scenarios currently being played out in policy forums in Australia over future energy options.

Students successfully completing POLI9004 should be able to:

• demonstrate the ability to engage in advanced-level academic analysis the political, economic and social issues related to addressing climate change and greenhouse gas emission reduction in the international and Australian national context

• understand the state of the academic literature and political practice with respect to a select range of climate change and energy policy issues

• demonstrate the ability to engage in verbal discussion and academic argument at graduate level and apply developed skills in academic research, bibliographic analysis and professional writing