SFS10814 Politics and the environment (Spring 2016)

The course is connected to the following study programs

Optional course in the bachelor programme Society, Language and Culture.

Lecture Semester

4th or 6th semester (spring) after completed extension course in either?German, English or Political Science.

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

KNOWLEDGE?
The students have

- knowledge of the political theory concerning man and its relationship with nature. 
- knowledge of the relationship between politics and the environment as described by the ancient Greek philosophers, the political philosophers of the enlightenment and modern rational choice theory. 
- knowledge of ecology and the environmental challenges mankind faces.

SKILLS?
The students are

- capable of seeing the fundamental environmental challenges mankind is faced with, and how we can think theoretically about political solutions to these challenges.

GENERAL COMPETENCE?
The course builds competence in stringent analytical philosophy, the students are given a wide ranging introduction to important social issues and an introduction to philosophy and ethics in general.

Content

Introduction to the fundamental challenges connected to political theory and environmental issues. The course starts with a survey of how the classical political philosophers dealt with the environment, and gradually moves towards modern conceptions of the relationship between politics and the environment. The course covers a broad spectrum of approaches, from deep ecology to economically oriented rational choice theory, giving the students a solid foundation for a reflected view on important social issues.

Forms of teaching and learning

Lectures and group work.

Individual instruction and supervision connected to the term paper will be given.

The language of instruction is English.

Workload

Approx. 240 hours.

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

No specific course requirements in this course.

Examination

Individual term paper and individual oral presentation

Individual term paper (8 to 10 pages) and oral presentation (approx. 15-20 minutes).

The term paper has to be approved for a pass result before the oral test. Both the term paper and the oral test must be passed.

The oral examination may adjust the final result by two steps up or down on the A-F grading scale. 

Individual term paper and oral presentation can be conducted in English or Norwegian language.

In the case of a failed result of the term paper or if the student wishes to improve the new exam will comprise both the written and the oral part.

Course evaluation

The course is evaluated twice each semester.

Literature

Books:

Barrett, Scott (2007): Why Cooperate? Oxford University Press: Oxford. (198 s.)

Barry, John (2007): Environment and social theory. Routledge: Oxon. (315 s.)

Latouche, Serge (2009): Farewell to growth. Polity press: Cambridge. (103 s.)

Meyer, John M. (2001): Political Nature. MIT Press: Cambridge. (156 s.)

Næss, Arne (1993): Ecology, community and lifestyle. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge. (232 s.)

Compendium

Randers, J. (2012). 2052: A global forecast for the next forty years. In The Futurein Practice: The State of Sustainability. University of Cambridge.

IPCC (2013). Climate change 2013: The physical science basis. summary for policymakers. Technical report, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Sætra, Henrik (2014). The state of no nature. Thomas Hobbes and the natural world. Ecology & Safety.

Ostrom, Elinor (1990). Governing the commons: The evolution of institutions for collective action. Cambridge university press: Cambridge.