Political Science: Power, Politics and the Environment

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of how different power concepts and political science theories can be applied to understand and analyse environmental policy and governance. You will gain insights into key power concepts and their relevance to environmental politics. The course equips you with the skills to apply these theories to specific environmental policy issues and to present your analyses both in writing and verbally.

The course is taught in English and is aimed at students who wish to deepen their knowledge in this area. Teaching consists of lectures, seminars, and a simulation exercise. Assessment is based on active participation in seminars, oral presentations combined with written assignments, and a final exam.

Eden and Campus Paradis: a central study environment in Lund

Campus Paradis is home to the social science programmes. The campus area is located in the centre of Lund, a stone's throw from the University Main Building and the cathedral, which makes it easy for those who commute.

The Department of Political Science is located in a building called Eden in the middle of the Paradis neighbourhood. Here you will find lecture halls and plenty of space to sit on your own and study on several floors.

In the leafy Campus Paradis you will find the Social Sciences Library (Sambib) and the University Library (UB), where you can borrow course literature and find a quiet place to study. On the campus, you will also find Samvetet, where the student union for social scientists is located.

The cultural-historical buildings in the area were formerly hospitals and have therefore been given names such as Gamla kirurgen (The Old Surgeon) and Gamla barnsjukhuset (The Old Children's Hospital). There are two cafés: Karnas Café at the School of Social Work and Café Eden.

Welcome to a classic campus area in a classic educational city!

Course literature

The course literature listed may be updated up to eight weeks before the course begins.

Throughout the course, you will learn various power concepts and their application in environmental policy and change. The course is structured into several segments, each highlighting these themes in unique ways:

1. We will begin by applying different theories and their power concepts to offer a range of perspectives on environmental governance, helping us identify the key differences, strengths, and weaknesses of each theory.
2. We will then focus on the significant role of non-state actors and processes that aim to fill gaps in public governance. A power-based approach will help us understand the corresponding power shifts within and between the public and private sectors.
3. Next, we will examine how the spread of environmental effects across time and space has altered existing power relations, necessitating new conceptualisations of responsibility, legitimacy, and justice.
4. Finally, we will analyse how uncertainty regarding the causes and consequences of environmental crises has empowered knowledge brokers like scientists and experts, increasing the relevance of constructivist concepts such as discursive and cognitive power.

Through these segments, the course will provide a profound understanding of how power influences and shapes environmental policy and change.

Upon completing the course, you will have developed a critical understanding of the power perspectives within various theoretical approaches and their significance in understanding and explaining concrete environmental issues. These skills are valuable for careers in public administration, international organisations, environmental organisations, and research.

Prerequisites

150 credits in fully completed courses of which 90 credits including a Bachelor's degree essay is in Political Science or Peace and Conflict Studies, and English course 6/B

Selection criteria

Seats are allocated according to: ECTS (HPAV): 100 %.

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens

Citizens of countries outside:

• The European Union (EU)
• The European Economic Area (EEA) and
• Switzerland

are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each
semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 31,250
First payment: SEK 31,250

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Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.

Application fee

No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.