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Summer School: Global Studies

Discover our Global Studies Summer School module below, and if you’re unsure what to study, follow our top tips for how to choose a module.

Module information

This programme takes place over one module:

Session One 

• Climate Justice
  

  Module code: IS448

  This module will introduce you to the concept of climate justice through the world-leading sustainability research being done at the º£½ÇÉçÇø. Climate justice brings a focus on social equity and historical responsibility to understandings of climate change. It recognises that climate change exacerbates existing inequalities, and has a disproportionately high impact on those who are least responsible for causing the problem.

  Students on the module will explore questions of extractivism, climate responsibility, finance and funding, ecosystem uncertainty and activism through a series of lectures, case studies, seminars and workshops. Together, we will learn about the colonial roots of contemporary environmental justice conflicts and the range of responses proposed to the climate crisis, while working in groups to discuss, design and propose alternatives.

  The module is both solutions-focused and interactive, and you will have the chance to work in groups throughout as you reflect collectively on how you would address particular challenges. Teaching will be conducted both inside and outside of the classroom, with workshops taking place in the landscape of the Brighton & Lewes Downs Biosphere Reserve and South Downs National Park.

  Your assessments will encourage you to engage proactively in practical examples of climate justice and develop your public communication skills.  You will work on a short group-produced presentation, podcast or video to explore a debate or an example of local activism, and the final assessment will be a blog designed to enhance public understanding of climate justice. 

  The º£½ÇÉçÇø is ranked first in the world for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023) and joint first in the UK for Education for Sustainable Development (People and Planet 22/23). These rankings reflect the range of sustainability research and dynamic teaching across the Sussex campus that you will be a part of. The module is ideal for those with a humanities or social science background, whether that be Geography, Politics, Anthropology, Sociology, International Relations, Law, or anyone with an interest in looking at the climate crisis through a critical lens.

  Learning outcomes:

  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of climate justice and the politics and processes that underpin responses to climate change.
  • Analyse cases of environmental injustice in a range of geographical contexts.
  • Design and develop creative, team-based responses to climate justice challenges to achieve common goals.
  • Demonstrate good writing skills that showcase an ability to be reflexive and to engage with academic, activist and policy literature.

  Teaching method: Lectures and workshops
  Assessment: 70% blog, 30% group project
  Contact hours: 42 hours 
  Credits: 15 Sussex Credits
  Level: 4

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