Critical Approaches to Sustainability and Development

Download Syllabus

Summer School modules are designed to be intensive, intellectually stimulating short courses. They are taught by King’s academics in academic disciplines where King's has expertise. Classes are highly international, giving students an opportunity to collaborate with peers from all around the globe.

Each module consists of 150 study hours, comprising 45 hours of intensive synchronous and asynchronous teaching, independent study and group work and is examined to university standards. Comparable to an in-semester 15-credit King’s undergraduate module and therefore typically awarded 3-4 US credits or 7.5 ECTS, many summer students ask their home institution to award them external credit for their King's summer module to use towards their degree programme when they return home.

This module invites students to take a critical perspective on sustainability and climate change in the era of neoliberal capitalism. This interdisciplinary module will look at climate change, sustainability, and development from multiple academic approaches, including political economy, sociology, politics, and political ecology. We will explore key theoretical approaches to climate change and the environment, explore the international relations of climate change and also look at the economics of climate finance and adaptation.

Together we will explore key issues such as climate change and migration, food systems and food security, as well as energy systems. We will critically unpack the international institutional responses to climate change including the SDGs and sustainable development agenda. We will also look at how global social movements are challenging dominant discourses on sustainability and green capitalism, asking what alternative climate futures might look like.  

• Knowledge and Understanding: Students will gain a solid understanding of multiple different theoretical approaches to climate change and sustainability 

• Knowledge and Understanding: Understand and have a critical appreciation of alternative approaches to sustainable development. 

• Cognitive Skills: Analyse local development problems in their regional contexts and their links to global processes and institutions. 

• Problem solving, research, and enquiry: Students will develop their research skills through examining a range of sources and existing data on a particular country context during their final research project. 

• Interpersonal and communication skills: Students will develop their negotiation and communication skills, as well as their reflective skills in our critical climate negotiation. 

The King's College London Undergraduate Summer School is open to students who are currently, or have been, enrolled in an undergraduate degree programme. We also welcome applications from professionals who have substantial relevant experience in their chosen subject area.

Entry requirements

• Open to students who are currently, or have been, enrolled in an undergraduate degree. We also welcome applications from professionals who have substantial relevant experience in their chosen subject area.
• Minimum grade requirement of 2:1 degree equivalent. See International grade equivalents on our Undergraduate Summer School homepage, under Entry requirements.
• English language requirement of at least level C1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR). See full English Language requirements on our Undergraduate Summer School homepage, under Entry requirements.
• Minimum age at the start of the course is 18 years old.

Report (70%), Negotiation Simulation (30%) 

Students should expect to be on campus for 4–5 hours per day, usually scheduled between 9:00–13:00 or 14:00–18:00. 

As per the fees listed above, booking two sessions receives a discount. This discount cannot be used in conjunction with other discounts of promotions. Subject to availability at the time of application.

More information on our fees, entry requirements and residential package can be found on the Undergraduate Summer School homepage.

Read our Terms and Conditions