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Climate Discourses

Susanne Scharnowski

Kommentar

Topic: In the 21st century, climate change, formerly a topic discussed mostly by scientists and environmentalists, has become one of the many divisive topics of political debate in an increasingly polarised public sphere. Views are divided regarding the causes as well as the appropriate responses to climate change: Are humans the (only) cause? What role do CO2 and methane play? Should we focus on mitigation or on adaptation? Should we rely on nuclear energy, or is solar and wind energy the way to go? Should we develop new technologies (such as solar geoengineering) or does the solution lie in “degrowth” and shrinking economies? Do we rely on democracy, or would a less democratic political system of technocracy be the most efficient approach? Positions in this debate often align with other political and ideological leanings and are connected to ideas, biases and beliefs which may be completely unrelated to the topic of climate change as such. Program: We will read various texts (political journalism, opinion pieces and articles from general websites or magazines as well as academic texts) about various aspects of public/ political debates about climate change listed above. Students will practice their ability to identify and analyse arguments, patterns of thought, biases, and ideologies, and thus develop skills which are necessary for critical thinking and evaluating complex arguments as well as formulating a well-founded point of view. Students will also engage in debates, establishing what it is about arguments and/ or rhetoric that makes them convincing or persuasive. Some of the materials will be available on Blackboard; additionally, students have to purchase the reader (a collection of photocopied texts in printed form) from the copy shop at Königin-Luise-Str. 39, near U-Bahnhof Dahlem Dorf. Is this the right course for you? You should be interested in the topic of the course as well in working on and improving your reading and debating skills, and you should be prepared to share reading experiences, challenges and strategies in class discussions. You should also be prepared to participate in debates with contrary positions. Workload and assessment: Students will read between 15 and 20 pages of texts in English per week, and will have to prepare various homework assignments during the semester (oral and written). You will have to attend all 11 classes (as there are three public holidays on a Thursday, 1 May, 8 May, 29 May), pass a mid-term test as well as the written exam at the end of the semester. Schließen

11 Termine

Regelmäßige Termine der Lehrveranstaltung

Do, 16:00 - 18:00 11 Termine

Do, 17.04.2025 16:00 - 18:00

Dozenten:
Dr. Susanne Scharnowski