POL3875

Climate change is the existential crisis of our time. Climate change mitigation requires strong global action, but the global community has been slow to respond. This course will ask why. We will consider various international aspects central to the causes and consequences of, and possible solutions to, the climate crisis. The course aims to provide a broad overview of the key concepts, actors, debates, and issues around the global climate crisis. It demonstrates the complexities of both the nature of the problems as well as the solutions.
We will consider such questions as: What are the political and economic challenges to creating strong and effective international agreements that address the climate crisis? What role can and do nonstate actors, including corporations, nongovernmental organizations, and even subnational entities such as cities, play in mitigating climate change? How can global concerns over climate (in)justice be best served, and how likely is it that these concerns will be addressed?
In addition to lectures and discussion, one pillar of this course will be an ongoing simulation around climate change. Students will be assigned specific roles in specific countries or organizations. Each week, they will respond to a new set of challenges. Through lectures, discussion, written assignments, and simulation, students will take a deep dive into the global politics of climate change.

Every Fall