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SYLLABUS

Climate Science and Policy, advanced level, 7,5 ECTS Credits

COURSE CATEGORY   Singel Subject Course MAIN FIELD OF STUDY   Miljövetenskap - MXA SUBJECT AREA     COURSE CODE   746A06

AIM OF THE COURSE

After completion of the course the student should be able to - describe the major scientific arguments for natural and anthropogenic - describe the major scientific arguments for climate change - describe the development of the UNFCCC and its major lines of conflict - discuss the driving forces of climate change over time from 1000 YBP to 100 YAP - discuss the underlying causes of uncertainty in climate change assessments - discuss the central concepts for climate change assessments such as impacts, vulnerability and adaptation -discuss the Kyoto mechanisms - discuss the major challenges of the post-Kyoto period - plan, write, present and perform an informed discussion about a minor climate change relevant study - scrutinise and constructively evaluate one’s own, one’s peers’ and the groups work - collect relevant scientific articles from databases available through the Library Services. - discuss the relationship between science and policy with climate change serving as an example.

CONTENTS

The course consists of three blocks: the basic science on climate change, the policy of climate change and climate change assessments. The course starts with an introduction to the science of climate change, in particular with ideas of the natural and anthropogenic causes of climate change. Students also familiarise with the state of the art in climate change modelling, in particular regional climate models. In the second block, the evolution of the United Nation Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC) is presented as well as its major lines of conflict. Students also discuss the current climate change negotiations based on recent Conferences of the Parties to the UNFCCC. The third block focuses on climate change assessments. Here, the course is based on three basic concepts: impacts, vulnerability and adaptation. Students discuss current ideas on climate change impacts on nature and society in regional, sectoral and other applications. Students are introduced to vulnerability and adaptation to climate change and methodologies to study vulnerability and adaptation to climate change are introduced through presentations of recent research projects such as vulnerability mapping and adaptive capacity at local level in Sweden.

TEACHING

The course is project-based, and students’ individual learning and critical thinking are in focus. Lectures on central issues of the three blocks of the course are given during the first half of the course. Langage of instruction: English. During the course, the students plan and prepare an individual paper, in which they elaborate upon a subject clearly related to the course curriculum. In due order, the tutorial groups discuss choice of subject, outline of the paper, paper draft and a final version of the paper. Consequently, students are expected to critically evaluate each other’s paper in the process of writing. Students also collect scientific articles from databases, such as ISI and ScienceDirect, available through the Library services. A memo of the paper is presented to the whole group and the course is finalised by a seminar in which all papers are presented for other students. Language of instructions: English

EXAMINATION

Examination is based on active participation in tutorial groups and on seminars. Written assignments (the individual paper), oral presentation and comments on other papers are also basis for grading of the students. Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Previous studies at least up to a level corresponding to three years of study at a Swedish university, i.e. approximately equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree at a British university. In-depth studies for at least one year in a field relevant to the course, including a final paper corresponding to approximately ten weeks of study. Relevant subjects are, e.g. environmental science, biology, meteorology, water resources, geography, economics, social anthropology and political science. Documented knowledge of English equivalent to an international proficiency test, e.g. TOEFL, minimum score of 550/21 or “Engelska B”.

GRADING

The course is graded according to the ECTS grading scale A-F

CERTIFICATE

COURSE LITERATURE

The course literature is decided upon by the department in question.

OTHER INFORMATION

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. The course is carried out in such a way that both men´s and women´s experience and knowledge is made visible and developed.

Climate Science and Policy, advanced level Climate Science and Policy, advanced level   Department responsible for the course or equivalent: TEMA - The Tema Institute             Registrar No: 127/07-41   Course Code: 746A06           Exam codes: see Local Computer System       Subject/Subject Area : Miljövetenskap - MXA                       Level   Education level     Subject Area Code   Field of Education   A1X   Advanced level     MXA   NA