ESSAY - 60% of total mark (Deadline: 15th April at 13:00 CET)
Answer one of the following questions. Essays should be no longer than 2000 words (+/- 10% - footnotes and quotations included, bibliography excluded) and must be submitted via QMplus by 1pm (CET) on 15th April at 13:00 (CET):
- ‘There can be no effective climate action without justice’. Do you agree with this statement ? Explain your answer.
- Compare and contrast the climate plans of two cities of your choice. Please communicate your selected cities to the course convenor (Dr. Edouard Morena, edouard.morena@ulip.lon.ac.uk) for validation at least 3 weeks prior to the submission date.
- Elaborate on the evolving security issues and how cooperation might be challenged in the Arctic, taking into consideration the geopolitical shifts of the post-2022 era and the reelection of Donald Trump.
- Critically examine the role of science within the evolving geopolitical landscape of the Arctic in the context of climate change. In your discussion, assess the extent to which science functions as a non-state actor and analyze its influence on Arctic governance and international cooperation in the contemporary era.
- Compose a formal letter addressed either to the Arctic Council as a whole or to a specific representative actively involved in the Council. In your letter:
- Identify and critically analyze areas where the Council may have neglected, overlooked, or insufficiently addressed key issues.
- Provide evidence-based recommendations for addressing these gaps, drawing on relevant readings, research, and contemporary political dynamics in the Arctic region.
- Ensure your letter reflects a clear understanding of the geopolitical, environmental, and social challenges unique to the Arctic.
- You have the possibility of suggesting your own essay question. Please send it to Dr. Edouard Morena (edouard.morena@ulip.lon.ac.uk) for validation at least 3 weeks before the submission deadline.
Please remember to include the ULIP coursework coversheet and marksheet at the beginning of your essay.
You are expected to mobilize and reference at least 6 scholarly publications (i.e. academic journal articles, books and/or chapters written by academics). Scholarly sources can be accessed through the QMUL Library Webpage. You can also draw on the academic sources referenced on the ULC230 QMPlus page.
Please remember to include a bibliography, which is not included in the word-count. Please note, however, that footnotes, citations and in-text references are counted. When referencing, please use the Harvard referencing style (for more information on how to use the Harvard Referencing Style: https://qmplus.qmul.ac.uk/mod/book/view.php?id=653429&chapterid=130145).
Marking Criteria and Criteria for Success:
Research
- Use of a wide variety of academic sources (at least 6).
- Engagement with relevant academic sources, among and beyond the module's reading list.
Knowledge and Understanding
- Demonstrate understanding of issues covered in the module.
- Demonstrate familiarity with relevant factual and conceptual knowledge related to climate politics.
- Apply this knowledge accurately to demonstrate understanding of a site visited during the module.
Quality of Argument and Analysis
- Show critical distance from sources and develop own views on issues covered.
- Make a coherent argument that is very well supported with evidence.
Structure
- The organisation of the material is clearly explained with transitions between parts of the essay.
- Use a coherent and logical structure.
Communication and representation of sources
- Written language is clear and concise
- Text is copy-edited without spelling and syntax errors
- Consistent referencing format throughout the paper and in the bibliography
