Checking date: 29/04/2020


Course: 2019/2020

Global Environmental Challenges
(16933)
Dual Bachelor in International Studies and Political Science (2018 Study Plan) (Plan: 411 - Estudio: 320)


Coordinating teacher: ROCH GONZALEZ, JUAN

Department assigned to the subject: Social Sciences Department

Type: Electives
ECTS Credits: 6.0 ECTS

Course:
Semester:




Requirements (Subjects that are assumed to be known)
Non specific one.
BASIC COMPETENCES CB1 Be able to show that they possess and comprehend facts and contents in an area of study which, based on a previous general secondary school level, have been extended to those included in advanced textbooks and in some aspects proceed from the most advanced studies in this area. CB2 ¿Be able to show that they have learned how to apply their knowledge professionally to their future jobs or tasks and that they possess the competences needed to develop and defend arguments and solve problems in that area of study. CB3 ¿ Be able to show that they are capable of collecting and interpreting the relevant data (normally within their area of study) needed for formulating judgments which require critical thought on social, scientific and ethical topics of relevance. CB4 ¿ Be able to show that they are able to transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions both to specialized and non-specialized publics. CB5 ¿ Be able to show that they have developed the learning skills required to perform further studies with a high degree of self-dependence. GENERAL COMPETENCES CG1 ¿ Understand social, political, legal and economic realities from a comparative perspective. CG2 ¿ Be able to approximate and analyze the intrinsic values contained in equal opportunities, multi-cultural society, political ideological and cultural pluralism, human rights, and the international community. CG3 ¿ Know quantitative and qualitative research techniques and possess the ability to choose which is most adequate to apply in the field of Social Sciences. CG4 ¿ Be able to manage information: identify, organize and analyze relevant information critically and systematically within the context of international relations. CG6 ¿ Be able to apply scientific method to the economic, social and political questions of a global society; be able to formulate problems in this context, identify a possible explication or solution, and a method to contrast them by sensibly interpreting the data. OVERLAPPING COMPETENCES CT1 ¿ Acquire the capacity to communicate knowledge in oral and written form, both to specialized and to non-specialized publics. CT2 ¿ Acquire the capacity to establish good interpersonal communication and to work both in interdisciplinary and international teams. CT3 ¿ Acquire the capacity to organize and plan workloads, taking correct decisions based on the available information, collecting and interpreting relevant data in order to provide assessments in that area of study. CT4 ¿ Develop the motivation and capacity to perform independent continuous learning for life, with an endowment to adapt to change and new situations. SPECIFIC COMPETENCES CE1 ¿ Be familiar with the principal political and social theories. Be capable of analyzing and comparing contemporary policies. CE2 ¿ Be familiar with and understand the processes of political, social, economic and cultural change in society and contemporary policy. CE6 ¿ Understand the socio-political impact of empires, religions and cultures in historical perspective. CE7 ¿ Understand the main dynamics which generate inequality and its consequences, and comprehend the principles on which equal opportunity policies are based. CE9 ¿ Be familiar with and comprehend the relevance of technological change for economic and social development. CE10 ¿ Be able to discern the differentiating elements in international problems in accordance to the development stages of a country. CE11 ¿ Be able to critically relate present and past events and processes. CE12 ¿ Be able to formulate and solve basic economic, social, political problems in an international context. CE16 ¿ Be able to carry out case studies and apply comparative method to analyze institutions, processes and policies in different countries. LEARNING OUTCOMES · Understanding of the main risks and environmental challenges, debates about the sustainability of economic growth and global governance issues posed environmental challenges. · Applied knowledge to discussions on environmental Justice and corporate environmental responsibility.
Description of contents: programme
Human activity and the ecosystem. The scientific controversy over climate change. Major global environmental risks. Identification of political movements and actors that can help prevent or reverse environmental degradation. Legal tools for environmental challenges. Industrial exploitation and the global ecological crisis. Securities market environment. Risk, caution and uncertainty. Environmental degradation and global governance. Environmental risks, ecology and new social movements. Urbanism and sustainability. Discussions on sustainable development. Development and corporate responsibility. Ethics, regulations and environmental justice. Between the global and the local: environmental challenges. Case studies.
Learning activities and methodology
The course will provide the theoretical fundaments and other empirical evidence to understand the main environmental challenges humanity face. Lectures and seminars are designed to be very dynamic and active participation of students is expected. The tasks students will undertake range from summaries of research; presenting and discussing results; identifying problems, causes, effects, consequences and policy impact; and proposing and defending policy statements and positions. Students will be expected to read all of the readings assigned and prepare for class discussions. Discussions will be a major part of the course and your final grade. This is a hands-on course and you are expected to assist to all lectures, seminars and discussions. Tutoring hours will be announced although it is recommended to confirm them with the professor via email.
Assessment System
  • % end-of-term-examination 60
  • % of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 40

Basic Bibliography
  • Jeffrey Sachs. The Age of Sustainable Development . Columbia University Press. 2015
  • Kate O'Neill. the Environment and International Relations. . Cambridge University Press. 2017
  • Pamela S. Chasek . Global Environmental Politics. Routledge. 2016
Additional Bibliography
  • Axelrod, Regina S., Leonard Downie, David and J. Vig, Norman. The global environment: institutions, law and policy. CQ Press. 2014
  • Sosa-Nunez, G. y Atkins, Ed. Environment, Climate Change and International Relations. E-International Relations Publishing. 2016
Detailed subject contents or complementary information about assessment system of B.T.

The course syllabus may change due academic events or other reasons.