This course explores what constitutes effective communication for environment and climate policy. Taking the words people say as the tip of the communication iceberg, the course will look under the surface to see what lies beneath. By unpacking the complex (but fascinating) social and institutional dimensions of communication, the course will uncover what works - and what doesn't - for environment and climate policy. Across all topics, the course integrates the cross-cutting 4 P's: power, public opinion, the public sphere, and policy windows.
Weekly lectures explore each of the topics through a mix of peer-reviewed sources and real-world examples. Optional weekly podcast style interviews with world leading researchers on each topic provide additional perspectives that complement the lecture content. Students are expected to engage enthusiastically with weekly readings and activities, and conduct original analyses of current environment and climate policy issues. Students will develop and demonstrate communication skills in written, oral, and visual formats. The course provides an evidence-based, practical grounding in effective communication for environment and climate policy.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Explain the social and institutional factors that shape environment and climate policy debates.
- Critically assess the communicative processes that affect environment and climate policy design and outcomes.
- Debate ethical and practical dimensions of environment and climate policy communication.
- Demonstrate competency in proposing evidence-informed strategies for environment and climate policy communication.
- Practice effective communication for environment and climate policy issues using written, oral, and visual formats.
Indicative Assessment
- Reflective essay (1000 words) (20) [LO 1,2,3,5]
- Oral presentation (5-6 mins) (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Essay (2500 words + visual summary) (50) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The standard workload for a 6 unit course is 130 hours including class time and independent study.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Prescribed Texts
There is no prescribed text for this course.
Preliminary Reading
All relevant readings will be provided via the course Wattle site, and are available through the ANU Library.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4980 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $6720 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.