Summer School: Global Studies
Discover our Global Studies Summer School module below, and if you’re unsure what to study, follow our top tips for how to choose a module.
Summer School Programme 2025
Applications are now open. Start your application or find out how to apply.
If you have any questions, contact summer@sussex.ac.uk.
Module information
This programme takes place over one module:
Session One
- Climate Justice
Module code: IS448
This module will introduce you to the concept of climate justice through the world-leading sustainability research being done at the University of Sussex. Climate justice brings a focus on social equity and historical responsibility to understandings of climate change. It recognises that climate change exacerbates existing inequalities, and has a disproportionately high impact on those who are least responsible for causing the problem.
Students on the module will explore questions of extractivism, climate responsibility, finance and funding, ecosystem uncertainty and activism through a series of lectures, case studies, seminars and workshops. Together, we will learn about the colonial roots of contemporary environmental justice conflicts and the range of responses proposed to the climate crisis, while working in groups to discuss, design and propose alternatives.
The module is both solutions-focused and interactive, and you will have the chance to work in groups throughout as you reflect collectively on how you would address particular challenges. Teaching will be conducted both inside and outside of the classroom, with workshops taking place in the landscape of the Brighton & Lewes Downs Biosphere Reserve and South Downs National Park.
Your assessments will encourage you to engage proactively in practical examples of climate justice and develop your public communication skills. You will work on a short group-produced presentation, podcast or video to explore a debate or an example of local activism, and the final assessment will be a blog designed to enhance public understanding of climate justice.
The University of Sussex is ranked first in the world for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023) and joint first in the UK for Education for Sustainable Development (People and Planet 22/23). These rankings reflect the range of sustainability research and dynamic teaching across the Sussex campus that you will be a part of. The module is ideal for those with a humanities or social science background, whether that be Geography, Politics, Anthropology, Sociology, International Relations, Law, or anyone with an interest in looking at the climate crisis through a critical lens.
Learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of climate justice and the politics and processes that underpin responses to climate change.
- Analyse cases of environmental injustice in a range of geographical contexts.
- Design and develop creative, team-based responses to climate justice challenges to achieve common goals.
- Demonstrate good writing skills that showcase an ability to be reflexive and to engage with academic, activist and policy literature.
Teaching method: Lectures and workshops
Assessment: 70% blog, 30% group project
Contact hours: 42 hours
Credits: 15 Sussex Credits
Level: 4
Session dates
- Session One: 30 June - 18 July 2025
- Session Two: 21 July - 8 August 2025
Not sure how to choose?
Follow our top tips for choosing your modules. You can also find out about our teaching structure, assessment process and how your credits transfer back to your home institution.
Which school will I study in?
You'll be studying in the International Development department, in the School of Global Studies.
Sussex is ranked 1st in the world for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024).
Our Development research
Our staff focus on understanding processes of social exclusion, marginalisation and inequality. We are engaging with initiatives for social justice and activist movements in the UK and abroad. Our academics are pushing the boundaries of development thinking.
Our research influences the way we teach, and you learn from academics at the forefront of their fields.
Find out more.
Contact us
If you are studying at Sussex for a summer and have questions, email summer@sussex.ac.uk.