Environmental Sociology and Communication
Code
73224106
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Geografia e Planeamento Regional
Credits
5
Weekly hours
2
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
This course aims to deal with the social dimensions of Environmental Issues, in particular Climate Change (CC). Special attention is reserved to issues of a communicational nature that have recently made CC such a crucial political issue.
We intend to inform on the different aspects of the scientific work developed in this field crisscrossing both theoretical and empirical dimensions.
In overview we will focus:
- Perception of climate change and its effects on social behaviors.
- The building of lay and scientific knowledge;
- Media coverage of the topic and its impact on public opinion
- New public policy implementation strategies with focus on different territorial scales .
- Public participation and decision making processes in contexts of urgency and complexity:
Also to equip students with: i) the understanding of the role of Social Sciences in Environmental Issues and CC and ii) supply the necessary methodological toolkit to allow for independent research on the covered issues.
Prerequisites
None
Subject matter
1. Environment, Environmentalism and Society - historical framework of environmental issues
2. Environmental Sociology - fundamental debates: Constructivism/Realism; Development Policies/Human Ecology; Ecological Modernisation/Limits to Growth
3. Themes, Problems and Research on Climate Change - causes and Impacts of Environmental Issues and Risks; Practices and Environmental Values; Public Participation; Scientific, Political and Ethical Controversies
4. Environment and Global Media - modern world communication
5. Media Studies, Environment and Climate Change - the rise and flow of Climate Change in the Media
6. Environmental Policies, Climate Change and Governance Environmental reform, institutional and legal frameworks; public information systems and participatory models; change and blockade factors;
7 . Climate Change and Sustainability Knowledge (Scientific and Common); civic mobilization and decision-making in the face of urgency and complexity.
Bibliography
Beck, U. ,1999. World Risk Society. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Castells, M.,2012. Networks of Outrage and Hope : Social Movements in the Internet Age. Camb./Malden: P. Press.
Dunlap, R. E.et al ,2007. \"Env. Sociology.\" C. D.
Bryant and D. L. Peck ,21st Century Sociology: A Reference Handbook -Thousand Oaks, CA: P.329-340.
Dunlap, R. E. e P. J. Jacques,2013, Climate Change Denial Books and Conservative Think Tanks: Exploring the Connection. American Behavioral
Scientist. 57: 6. Pp. 1-33.
Mol, A. P.J. e D. A. Sonnenfeld, 2000. Ecological Modernisation Around the World Perspectives and Critical Debates. London, Or: Frank Cass.
Redclift, M. e G. Woodgate,2010- The International Handbook of Environmental Sociology. Edward Elgar, Chichester and London.
Schmidt, L.,2008-Políticas Ambientais: escalas e desajustes. Itinerários 25 anos de investigação no ICS. Imp. de C.S.
Carvalho, A., et al,2013-Climate change research and policy in Portugal. WIREs Clim Change. doi: 10.1002/wcc.258
Teaching method
An initial theme-setting presentation by the lecturer is followed by a debate. The presentation covers a theoretical framework of the lectures topic followed by empirical research case studies. The debate section engages with students challenging them to put into practice what they have just learned, e.g. rehearsing ways and criteria to report on the climate change questions; or to set up population survey processes; or to argue for different takes from different socio-economic sectors on the problem of CC adaptation.
For each class, the Power Point presentation and related bibliographical references will be made available in advance via the Moodle platform.
Evaluation method
The assessment entails participation in class (20%) and a paper, on one of the topics covered in module, taking in account the theme of their PhD thesis proposal (80%). The lecturer will provide a continuous support and advice throughout this process. Each paper will be discussed on an individual basis with the students.