Special Topics in Political Science (390-0-23)

Topic

Climate Change & Collective Action

Instructors

Mary McGrath

Meeting Info

Harris Hall L04: Tues, Thurs 3:30PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

What gets in the way of collective action on climate change? This course examines the problem of climate change from a collective action perspective, starting by learning what political science says about collective action problems, identifying political and institutional obstacles in the case of climate change, and evaluating tools and avenues that have led to collective action on climate and in other domains.

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to identify and analyze collective action problems;
apply concepts of collective action theory to the problem of climate change; analyze political and institutional barriers to climate action;
evaluate successful and failed attempts at climate action.

Evaluation Method

weekly reading-reflection papers; final presentation