Climate Justice

About

This module will introduce you to the concept of climate justice through the world-leading sustainability research being done at the University of Sussex. 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 University of Sussex 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.

Target group

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.

Course aim

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of climate justice and the politics and processes that underpin responses to climate change.

2. Analyse cases of environmental injustice in a range of geographical contexts.

3. Design and develop creative, team-based responses to climate justice challenges to achieve common goals.

4. Demonstrate good writing skills that showcase an ability to be reflexive and to engage with academic, activist and policy literature.

Fee info

The full cost of one 3-week Undergraduate Summer School session will be £2,645. Early applications will receive a 20% reduction on tuition fees, making the overall cost of one 3-week Undergraduate Summer School session £2320. If you wish to study for both sessions, we welcome you to do so. This is made up of Tuition fees of £1,625 per session including all teaching and assessment for one module of study. Where field trips or course excursions are required then the cost of this is included in the tuition fee, however travel costs may be required. A minimum of 150 study hours, with a minimum of 40 hours class/teaching contact hours. Modules formally approved for 15 Sussex credits, equivalent to 7.5 ECTS or 3 – 4 US credits. You will receive a transcript of studies upon successful completion of the module (including meeting all attendance and assessment requirements). The accommodation and student life programme fee of £1,020 per session includes your own bedroom in on-campus student village. These are a mixture of en-suite flats and standard flats with shared facilities. You will receive a bedding pack of duvet and duvet cover, sheet, towel, pillow, and pillowcase, as well as a kitchen pack containing everything you need for self-catering. The fee includes a programme of campus social events and activities throughout each session. Excursions and social programme trips will also be provided on Fridays.