Høst 2025

SVF-3209 Climate change and resilient societies - 10 stp

The course is administrated by

Institutt for teknologi og sikkerhet

Type of course

This is a mandatory course of the master’s degree "Contemporary Issues in Risk and Crisis Management". The course can be taken as a single course by all students.

Course contents

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.

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

Objective of the course

Knowledge:

The student ...

shall 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 ...

shall 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 ...

shall 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

The language of instruction is English. Examination can be completed in either English or Norwegian.

Teaching methods

Teaching methods include pre-recorded video lectures, podcasts, mandatory and optional reading material, live interactive live sessions online, and mandatory coursework assignments, approximately 28 hours of instruction.

The course is organized as module-based online learning, consisting of three separate modules that must be completed in succession:

Module 1: Science and politics of climate change

Module 2: Conceptual issues in climate change adaptation

Module 3: Building resilient societies

Coursework requires active engagement with lecture and reading material.