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Climate Affairs (ATOC90002)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

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Semester 1
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Climate change is one of the most important environmental issues facing the world today. This subject will cover the basics of climate science, including climate change and climate variability, extremes, and climate prediction. This will be accompanied by an analysis of climate impacts on society, ecosystems and economies. Knowledge about the climate system in order to make sound decisions will be analysed. Climate policy and law at the national level (eg National Greenhouse Strategy) and international level (e.g., UN conventions) will be discussed. The relevance to societies, people and the environment will be covered under the umbrella topic of climate ethics, including issues such as potential winners and losers from climate change, intergenerational equity and instruments of protection.

 

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:



  • Explain the climate system, its complexity and variability across a range of time-scales
  • Explain the greenhouse effect and its relation to longer term climate variations and climate chang
  • Apply these principles to describe climate change, feedbacks and impacts on human and natural systems
  • Critique climate science presented in scientific peer-reviewed literature and the media
  • Debate differing ethical, cultural and international perspectives and policy options pertaining to climate issues

Generic skills

Upon successful completion of this subject students should have obtained the following skills:

  • Demonstrate advanced independent critical enquiry and analysis
  • Apply a strong sense of intellectual integrity and ethics of scholarship
  • Produce high level writing and communication
  • Be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning
  • To examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines
  • Generate constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces

Last updated: 3 November 2022