Politics of Climate Change

3 credits · Undergraduate

This course introduces students to some of the most intractable political obstacles impeding efforts to address the global climate emergency, and investigates creative political strategies for navigating those obstacles at the local, national, and global levels. Topics include the domestic drivers of national climate change policies; realpolitik and national self interest in international climate negotiations; inequality and the burdens of climate change adaptation; climate politics as a source of conflict and partisan polarization; and the political psychology of climate passivity and climate change denial. Prerequisite(s): 60 credit hours or permission of the instructor