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Societies and the Climate Crisis - SOC00057I

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• Department: Sociology
• Credit value: 20 credits
• Credit level: I
• Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
  • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

In this module we consider how the capitalist economic system and a colonial world order has led to ecological collapse, and address how sociological theory can help us to understand the unequal impacts that the climate crisis is having on societies.

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

Climate change is transforming societies worldwide. Its effects on the earth, including rising sea levels, extreme heat, droughts and storms, are set to impact the lives of human and non-human animals alike. Meanwhile, the climate crisis has had many effects on society, including mass protest and social movements, denialism, lifestyle changes such as the rise of plant-based diets and eco-fashion. In this module we consider how the capitalist economic system and a colonial world order has led to ecological collapse, and address how sociological theory can help us to understand the unequal impacts that the climate crisis is having on societies. We consider case studies from different parts of the world and use a diverse range of theorists to better understand the sociological impacts of climate change.

Module learning outcomes

Demonstrate a good understanding of the sociological literature that addresses climate change.

Critically discuss the social consequences of - and responses to - climate crisis.

Apply sociological theory to analyse on-the-ground environmental issues.

Critically engage with the relationships between climate change and global economic inequalities, coloniality, and other forms of injustice.

Develop skills in problem-solving, teamwork, and written and verbal communication.

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100

Module feedback

For formative work - Artistic communication - students will receive written or verbal feedback on how to improve their skills in areas that will contribute towards their summative assessment. Both formative assessments provide practice for the summative tasks, which entail an observational exercise and are in line with MLO.

For summative work - Case Study Report - students will receive an overall mark and grading according to clearly defined criteria for assessing their knowledge, skills and abilities in line with MLO 1-4. They will also receive written feedback showing areas in which they have done well, and those areas in which they need to improve that will contribute to their progress

Indicative reading

Urry, J. (2011) Climate Change and Society, London: Polity Press