Course Overview
This course is designed to help you use the power of narrative (storytelling) to engage people on matters related to environment, climate change, science and sustainability. The course is designed for everyone from news consumers to aspiring/existing journalists and/or anyone interested in engaging their employees or other (corporate, government, etc.) stakeholders on environmental action and engagement. Taught by Dr. Kamyar Razavi, a climate change journalist and veteran television news producer, the course examines the role of the news media in drawing attention to environmental issues including environmental justice, political mobilization as well as climate mitigation and adaptation. We will examine the evolution of environmental journalism beginning with the 'discovery' of the environment and climate change as a topic worthy of recurring news coverage in the late 1980s and 1990s. We look at the subsequent periods of false balance, apathy/hope, and the turn toward climate solutions. The politics of climate change are examined in depth as are the various social, individual, and psychological barriers impeding action on climate change.
Prerequisite(s)
- No prerequisites are required for this course.
Credits
3.0
- Not offered this term
- This course is not offered this term. Notify me to receive email notifications when the course opens for registration next term.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Construct environmental news stories (and other communication) for impact.
- Develop messages that engage stakeholders on climate, the environment and sustainability.
- Examine environmental and energy policy in Canada.
- Describe the political economy of energy transition.
- Discuss how to accelerate sustainable behavioural change.
- Articulate the limitations of an 'information-deficit' model to communication.
- Employ specialized narrative techniques such as solutions journalism and descriptive social norms.
- Explain the basics of journalism (fairness, accuracy, thoroughness); the debates and controversies around objectivity; the problem with 'balance' and 'both sides-ism.'
- Diagnose the blind spots and/or omissions of environmental journalism/communication (and understand what those are).
- Apply a historical lens to environmental communication including the rise of the environmental movement to more current methods and methodologies for engaging the public on the issue.
- Employ storytelling tools to produce effective climate change communication.
Effective as of Fall 2024
Related Programs
Climate Change Storytelling for Social Change (BCST 1510) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
School of Business + Media
- Broadcast and Digital Journalism
Associate Certificate Part-time
- Radio Arts and Entertainment
Associate Certificate Part-time
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.