autumn 2022
SVF-3209 Climate change and resilient societies - 10 ECTS

Application deadline

1 June

Type of course

May be taken as a singular course. 

Admission requirements

The eligible student must hold a bachelor’s degree from a relevant field of study. Prior knowledge of societal security, risk management, safety management, international relations, crisis management and emergency preparedness are recommended but not required.

Application code: 9371


Course content

This course provides knowledge about climate change as a societal threat and how societies can adapt. Built around the concept of resilient societies, this course centers on the role of natural hazards management, critical infrastructure and the link between mitigation and adaptation in the context of a changing climate. Taking a global perspective, the course aligns with the 2015 Paris Agreement and its focus on loss and damage in the context of climate change, including critical perspectives on climate change adaptation projects. 

Objectives of the course

Knowledge:  

The student will be able to ...

  • understand the science of climate change at a basic level. 
  • account for overlaps and differences between disaster risk reduction (DRR) and CCA 
  • contextualize the work of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 
  • contrast central principles of CCA 
  • understand the connection between local, national, regional and global-level CCA  
  • appreciate how climate change interferes with natural hazard risks 
  • understand CCA funding frameworks 

Skills: 

The student will be able to ...

  • apply central theories of CCA to a concrete case 
  • discuss the relationship between DRR and CCA  
  • critically reflect on the nature and politics of CCA funding 
  • account for the way that climate change may affect the dynamics of key natural hazards 
  • reflect on the way that climate change may shape societal vulnerabilities 
  • reflect on the ways in which actors at different levels engage in CCA work 

General competence: 

The student will be able to ... 

  • understand the fundamentals of climate change science 
  • write up a case report applying aspects of CCA work to a particular case 
  • contextualize CCA work across levels 
  • place CCA funding and global frameworks within a wider geopolitical context 

Language of instruction and examination

English

Teaching methods

Video lectures, written handouts, live and recorded guest lectures, project work, training-through-research, supervisions, digital workshops, totally 28 hours of instruction. 

Examination

Examination: Date: Weighting: Duration: Grade scale:
Off campus exam 12.12.2022 09:00 (Hand out)
16.12.2022 13:00 (Hand in)
3/5 4 Days A–E, fail F
Off campus exam 01.09.2022 09:00 (Hand out)
30.11.2022 13:00 (Hand in)
2/5 12 Weeks A–E, fail F
UiT Exams homepage

More info about the coursework requirements

Three assignments  

Re-sit examination

Students who have not passed the individual exam, are offered a re-sit examination early in the following semester. A re-sit exam is not arranged for the group-based exam. 

Info about the weighting of parts of the examination

Group-based semester project which accounts for 40 % of the grade,

Individual 4-day home exam which accounts for 60 % of the grade. 


  • About the course
  • Campus: Tromsø |
  • ECTS: 10
  • Course code: SVF-3209
  • Tidligere år og semester for dette emnet