ESSAY - 60% of total mark
ESSAY - 60% of total mark
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 18th December 2025:
- To what extent can the climate crisis be considered a crisis of capitalism?
- ‘Environmentalism without class struggle is just gardening’ (Chico Mendes). Do you agree? Discuss in relation to the climate issue and the just transition debate.
- 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.
- How have security concerns in the Arctic evolved since 2022? Discuss how geopolitical shifts including the reelection of Donald Trump, may challenge or reshape cooperation in the region
- What role does science play in Arctic geopolitics today? Critically assess whether science can be understood as a non-state actor and evaluate its influence on governance and international cooperation in the context of climate change.
- Select one non-Arctic actor (e.g., the EU, China, or Turkey). Analyze how it frames its interest in the Arctic, the strategies it uses to gain influence, and the implications of these “outsider narratives” for Arctic governance and security.
- 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
