Course summary

What are the social and political dimensions of climate change? How does climate change impact on local, state and international levels? How do we understand the actions of communities and international organisations in response to a changing planet? This programme investigates the complex social and political impacts of a changing climate, and examines the ways in which we can respond to crisis. While you will be made familiar with current technical arguments about the nature of the climate crisis, the focus is on its social and political dimensions. You will explore cutting edge approaches within the social sciences to understand framings of and responses to the climate crisis. You will engage with themes including: climate crisis and political economy; the effects of climate change on international relations; sustainability and development; resilience and disasters; green transitions and the origin and potential of green social movements to foster social and political change. This programme is intended for those who aspire to a professional career in addressing climate change in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. Critical skills are embedded throughout the programme to ensure that you have the requisite capacities to become a leader in addressing social and political problems arising from our changing planet, and to help shape a more sustainable future. You will have the possibility of working on a dissertation research project for a public or private sector partner, gaining crucial experience to further your career aspirations.