Selected Themes in Russian Studies: Environmental journalism and climate change in Russia, 5 cr

This course reflects on the state of environmental journalism and climate change discourse in Russia. It locates the subject within both global and Russia’s domestic contexts, paying attention to the regional and local specifics of this huge country. The starting point of this course is that the environmental movement has become a powerful trend in global politics and in many national contexts during the last several decades. It has moved to the forefront of political debates, economic development and scientific innovation. It has led to the proliferation of environmental specialists in business and political lobbying, public communication and journalism. It has also provided new agenda for civil society and grassroots activities. Climate change has emerged as a core subject of this trend shaping the overall environmental discourse and influencing national and international policies, including the issues of sustainable development, energy transitioning, climate adaptation and mitigation of the global warming risks. The course introduces several case studies with the focus on Russia, links the empirical findings to the relevant theoretical traditions, and provides practical recommendations for professional work and research in the field.

Titles of the lectures:

1. Environmental journalism and climate reporting in Russia

2. The role of journalism in climate politics: Russia in international comparisons

3. Reporting on the science of climate change: communicating facts

4. The national and regional aspects of environmental communication

5. The public discourse about the Arctic: nature protection and industrial development

6. The roots of climate denial in the Russian public discourse