Module: GEO5004-20 Climate and Society

Level: 5

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: James Jeffers

Module Tutor Contact Details: j.jeffers@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing contemporary society. This module draws on geographical and sociological perspectives to explore the complex relationships between human societies and weather, climate and climate change. It will explore the basis of scientific knowledge on climate change, climate change impacts and vulnerabilities, as well as the social, cultural, political and economic causes and consequences of change. The module will also explore how social and cultural framings of climate and climate change have varied across time and space in order to understand how diverse interpretations lead to political and policy disputes.

2. Outline syllabus:

Potential lecture, seminar and practical topics include; scientific knowledge on climate change, risk perception and management, climate change impacts, socio-economic vulnerabilities, adaptation strategies, mitigation options, global climate engineering, historical perspectives on climate and climate change, the production of scientific knowledge, climate change in the media and the creative arts, philosophical and religious perspectives on climate change, scientific controversies, climate denial, global climate policy, and the politics of climate change.

3. Teaching and learning activities:

Lectures will introduce the main topics, supported by seminars and practicals which will enable discussion and debate of the key issues and exploration of data sets. You will explore how the global and local scales are linked and interact, and the complexity of policy responses. Preparatory and follow-up reading will be indicated.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Public Communication (2,500 words or equivalent)

• % Weighting: 50%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Exam

• Description: Examination (2,500 words or equivalent)

• % Weighting: 50%