POLI9004 The Politics of Climate Change

Topic examines how governments, the United Nations and the environment movement in Australia and Europe address climate change. The topic begins by focusing on readings from social and political theorist, Anthony Giddens' recent book,The Politics of Climate Changeand 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 content 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. The topic provides opportunities for students to adopt role play advocacy based on scenarios currently being played out in policy forums in Australia over future energy options.

This topic aims to:

• Provide an opportunity for Politics Honours students, International Relations Graduate, Diploma and Masters students and Masters of Public Administration students to engage in advanced-level academic and professional analysis of the problems of governance at the domestic and international level associated with reducing anthropocentric contributions to climate change in both the developed and developing world
• Encourage advanced-level verbal discussion and academic argument further developed students' skills in academic research, bibliographic analysis and professional writing
• Give students the opportunity to demonstrate their degree of readiness to advance to postgraduate study in this academic field

1. 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
2. Understand the state of the academic literature and political practice with respect to a select range of climate change and energy policy issues
3. 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