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ENVS3038 International Environmental Policy

Later Year Course

Offered By School of Resources Environment & Society
Academic Career Undergraduate
Course Subject Environmental Science
Offered in Winter Session, 2009 and Winter Session, 2010
Unit Value 6 units
Course Description

This course is offered to IARU Global Summer Program only.  ANU student can enrol in ENVS3033 offered during Summer Session. 

This course focuses on the dynamic field of international environmental policy (IEP), a field that has grown rapidly and dramatically over the last three decades, driven by concern over unprecedented and large-scale global environmental change, including climate change, biodiversity loss, deforestation, marine degradation, and expanding trade and consumption. International environmental policy now directly and indirectly affects the behaviour and decisions of governments, corporations, NGOs, local communities and individuals.

This course takes an interdisciplinary approach, drawing insights from areas including ecology, law, economics, international relations and politics, and incorporates lectures, guest speakers from NGOs and government, panel discussions, debates and workshops, with an emphasis on understanding the real-world dynamics of policy formation and debate. The course will cover the nature of IEP; its development over recent decades; the actors and institutions which form and influence it; and the conflicts which shape it. Key areas of debate within IEP will be examined, including tensions between conservation and development; conflicts around knowledge, science, and uncertainty; and reliance on 'command and control' vs market-based approaches. Cross-cutting issues include gender, the fight against poverty, and the role of corporations. These issues will be explored through analysis of topical case studies, such as equity and climate change; biodiversity and livelihoods; biofuels and deforestation; and genetically modified organisms and international trade.

The course runs from 30 June to 17 July.

Learning Outcomes

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Broadly describe the development and nature of international environmental policy (IEP), including the operation of regimes
2. Describe and analyse key debates that shape IEP, and the key challenges it faces
3. Describe and evaluate the strengths and limitations of international governance responses to environmental issues
4. Design, participate in, and lead group learning processes and activities in the context of environmental policy
Indicative Assessment

Assessment will be based on:

  • Class poster and presentations (10%; LO 1)
  • Written case study (30%; LO 2, 3 )
  • Peer-assessed tutorial facilitation (5%; LO 2, 3, 4 )
  • Participation (10%; LO 2, 3, 4)
  • Learning portfolio, including mini Conference of the Parties (10%) and tutorial facilitation (10%) to demonstrate overall engagement and understanding (total 45%; LO 1, 2, 3, 4)
Workload This course runs over 18 days, during 30 June to 17 July: the first 6 are a field trip, involving approx 3 contact hours and 3 hours study per day. Over the following 12 days, weekdays involve 4-5 contact hours, with an additional 3-4 hours work required per day. Three days (including a weekend) involve no teaching, but students are required to complete a research assignment during this period, involving about 25 hours work.
Requisite Statement Requires 96 units towards a degree
Science Group C
Academic Contact Dr Rosie Cooney

The information published on the Study at ANU 2009 website applies to the 2009 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2008 website.

Updated:   13 Nov 2015 / Responsible Officer:   The Registrar / Page Contact:   Student Business Solutions