GLCb2020 Environmental Threats and Security

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. Miriam Matejova, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Ing. Soňa Enenkelová (assistant)
Guaranteed by
doc. Miriam Matejova, Ph.D.
Department of Sociology – Faculty of Social Studies
Supplier department: Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Wed 12:00–13:40 M117
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! BSSb1198 Environmental Threats &&TYP_STUDIA(B)
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 17/20, only registered: 0/20, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/20
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 14 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Abstract
This course examines key environmental threats, including environmental disasters and climatic changes, as well as various aspects of environmental security. The aim is for students to gain an understanding of the theory, history, and politics of significant environmental problems as they relate to national and international security.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to: • Identify and evaluate key energy and environmental factors in security planning. • Analyze and communicate contemporary environmental problems and threats. • Recognize and assess critical vulnerabilities to security.
Key topics
  • Environmental problems and why it is difficult to solve them
  • Environmental security: history and concepts
  • Do environmental changes cause conflict?
  • Environmental security in the age of climate change
  • Catastrophic future(s)?
  • Contemporary environmental threats
  • The future of environmental security
  • Group presentations
Study resources and literature
    required literature
  • • Dauvergne, Peter. 2008. The Shadows of Consumption. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
  • • Deudney, Daniel. 1991. “Environment and Security: Muddled Thinking.” Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Vol. 47, No. 3, pp. 22-28.
  • • Hough, Peter. 2004. Understanding Global Security, 2nd ed. London and New York: Routledge.
  • • Kelman, Ilan. 2022. Disaster by Choice. Oxford University Press.
  • • Homer-Dixon, Thomas. 1994. “Environmental Scarcities and Violent Conflict: Evidence from Cases.” International Security, Vol. 19, no.1, pp. 5-40.
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
lectures, discussion, group presentation
Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
group presentation, final exam
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2026/GLCb2020