Course Syllabus

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Semester & Location:

Spring 2022 - DIS Copenhagen

Type & Credits:

Elective Course - 3 credits

Major Disciplines: 

International Relations, Political Science, Public Policy

Prerequisite:

None

Faculty Members:

Mia Sulsbrück

Current students use canvas inbox for contact

Program contact:

Embla Thorsdottir, eth@dis.dk

Time & Place:

Mondays 16.25-17.45 in Fi6-Metro 102

Thursdays 16.25-17.45 in Fi6-Metro 102

Description of Course

Climate change is one of the most pressing political challenges of our time. With almost daily news reports of climate-related disasters, international meetings, scientific findings, and various forms of protests, it is unsurprising that the issue is both at the top of the international political agenda and one of significant public interest.  Over the past 30 years, we have witnessed growing scientific certainty about causes and consequences of climate change. Yet, the international community has been slow to take proportionate action. 

This course examines environmental policy in practice with a particular focus on climate change in order to understand why and how environmental policy is being addressed and by whom, and why many environmental problems including climate change have been - and is - so difficult to address politically.  

The course seeks to analyze how policy is made in “the real world.” We will take a practice-oriented look at environmental policies at four levels: 1) the local level with a focus on municipalities and regions; 2) the national level with a particular focus on Denmark (with perspective to the US); the regional level with a focus on the European Union; and 3) the global level with particular focus on the international climate negotiations. We will also examine citizen participation and social movements and well as the role of the private sector in governing climate change.

We'll also discuss underlying moral traditions to better interpret different concrete environmental policies and policymaking processes we can observe in the world around us today. We'll examine the complexities of environmental decision-making and the various instruments decision-makers have at hand in order to address environmental issues including climate change.

Learning Objectives

The purpose of this course is to give a comprehensive understanding of how environmental policies are formulated and implemented in a small state (Denmark), the European Union, and on the global stage. Students will acquire empirical knowledge about the actors, policy instruments, policy making processes and the communication of these policies on all three levels.

Furthermore, through a number of guest lectures students will get a sense of how it is to be a real actor in the processes of creating environment policies, i.e. a scientist, a diplomat, a national civil servant, an EU-civil servant, an NGO youth activist, etc. This will enable students to better understand how political organizations function and how to interact with or within them. More specifically, this course will help prepare students to work in an organization that deals with areas related to environmental policy.

Faculty 

Mia Sulsbrück

MA in Political Science from University of Copenhagen (2015); former instructor at the Department for Political Science, Copenhagen University (2011, 2012 and 2014). Has worked in the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities (2015-2016) and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs including a posting to the Permanent Representation of Denmark to the European Union in Brussels (2017-2021). Now back with the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities as a Special Advisor focused on climate diplomacy and international cooperation on green transition. With DIS since 2021. 

Readings

Active participation is essential in this course, as we will dig into the reading together. That means: reading carefully and thoughtfully beforehand! Each class day's readings are written in the calendar day description. The reading includes articles, papers and chapters from books. All texts from books are available on Canvas.

The list includes: 

Literature:

  • James Connelly, Graham Smith, David Benson, & Clare Saunders, (2012): Politics and the Environment - From Theory to Practice, 3ed., Routledge. (We will draw from a couple of chapters of this book and the e-book is available on Canvas under Modules)
  • Harriet Bulkeley & Peter Newell (2015): Governing Climate Change, 2ed. Routledge. (We will draw from a couple of the chapters in this book and you can find these in the Files section on Canvas).
  • Eugene Nulman (2015): Climate Change and Social Movements, 1ed. Palgrave Macmillan. (We will draw from a couple of the chapters in this book and you can find these in the Files section on Canvas).
  • David Benson, Viviane Gravey and Andrew Jordan (2019): "Environmental Policy" in "European Union Politics", 6ed. Oxford University Press (We will read one chapter in this book and you can find it in the Files section on Canvas).
  • John Vogler (2017): "The Challenge of the Environment, Energy and Climate Change" in "International Relations and the European Union", 3ed. Oxford University Press (We will read one chapter in this book and you can find it in the Files section on Canvas).

In addition to the above we will use various youtube videos and podcasts. 

Field Studies

The course will include field study trips to:

1) UNEP DTU Partnership in the UN City in Copenhagen. UNEP DTP Partnership is a UN Environment Collaborating Centre, UNEP DTU Partnership is actively engaged in implementing UN Environment’s Climate Change Strategy and Energy Programme.

2) Copenhagen's heat and power waste-to-energy plant Amager Resource Center (ARC), where a pilot version of the first carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in a Danish incineration plant is currently being developed.

3) The European Environmental Agency (EEA) with presentations and Q&A by EEA staff engaged in policy deliberations at the European level. 

Guest Lecturers

  1. An official the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities will present Danish climate policy and provide insights into how policies are created in practice.  
  2. A senior project manager from Gate 21 - an organization that engages municipalities, regions, companies and knowledge institutions in green solutions. 
  3. A climate activist from Green Peace Denmark who will discuss environmental activism in Denmark with particular focus on how the climate movement works and seeks to influence policy-making. 
  4. A climatologist from Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) will share the newest research-based knowledge on climate change in the Arctic region.
  5. A consultant from the interest organization Confederation of Danish Industry (DI) will share perspectives on how companies play a big role in helping to solve climate change challenges and how the socalled "climate partnerships" representing all branches of Danish business support the Danish government in reaching the green targets.

Approach to Teaching

Theoretically informed, the approach will primarily be empirical, aiming to give students a realistic understanding of how the relevant policies are developed in "the real world." Drawing on experiences from policymaking processes in Denmark, the EU and internationally,  illustrative cases of key political issues related to the environmental and climate change areas will be brought in. To add further perspective, “practitioners” from political institutions, experts and stakeholder communities will be invited. The teaching approach focuses on providing students with an opportunity to engage directly and shape their own views on how policymaking can be addressed and communicated.

Grading

Assignment

Percent

In class participation (including field visits)

20%

Student presentation

20%

Policy brief (2 pages)        

30%

Final essay (2-3 pages)

30%

In Class Participation

In-class participation will be graded according to individuals being present and on-time (excepting cases of reasonable absence such as illness, with notice). All course meetings (classes + field study trips) are included in this assessment. Included is also active participation in the class demonstrating that you have read the literature. Final mark for in-class participation will be averaged and will consist of 20% of total final grade. A lack of notification of absence results in a half-grade deduction from your total final grade. After two 'excused' absences, academic affairs and/or a doctors must be involved.

Student presentations (10 minutes)

Each student will during the course do a presentation related to the topic of the day's class. A week before the presentation, the students will be given a topic/a case for the presentation. A case for example could be a presentation of Biden's climate plan or the policy to address air pollution in the United States. Presentations are assessed on the basis of the ability to structure the case in a coherent way, cover all elements of the "task" received via email and include own reflections and independent assessment of the case.

Policy Brief (750 words)

Students will write a policy brief to the Danish environment or climate minister informing the minister of a relevant policy issue and advising the minister on how to tackle the issue. Emphasis will be on whether the student can present the topic of the policy brief in a well-structured and clear way and argue why he/she recommends one policy action instead of another.

Final Essay (750 words)

Drawing from readings, guest lectures, and class instruction, students will write an “op-ed” to influence a specific environment-related issue. In grading emphasis will put on whether the student can present his/her own independent analysis of the given topic and argue his/her case . The student must draw on what he/she has learned throughout the course to produce an independent and reflective essay.

Assignments are only accepted within the stated deadlines – or later in case an individual arrangement is agreed upon no later than two weeks before such deadlines. More information on the assignments will be given in class.                             

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on: 

 

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org

Course Summary:

Date Details Due