Grounded in the discipline of public policy, the course considers the complexities around public policy-making for the environment and sustainability. The course considers how policy is made and the institutional settings within which it is made, how problems and policies are framed, implemented and evaluated, and the inherent challenges in choosing appropriate policy instruments to meet an objective. The course focuses particularly on Australia’s public policy and institutional settings, but comparisons with international case studies will be made. Interactive lectures and tutorials provide students with opportunities to analyse specific environmental policy issues in theoretical frameworks and over different time scales Topics explored include water and climate policy, sustainability in business and industry, public and civil society participation in policy-making, and the relationship between international environmental policy and Australian environmental policy.

Honours Pathway Option

Subject to the approval of the course convenor; students taking this option must complete an extra piece of reading each week and give an analysis of its relevance and importance to environmental policy.  Students will also give a seminar to the class based on their research essay.  All other assessment and requirements remain the same. 

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

1. understand the basis of environmental policy and how it is developed and implemented in Australia and other relevant jurisdictions;
2. describe and evaluate key environmental public policies;
3. evaluate alternative choices of policy design and policy instruments in the context of major environment and sustainability issues, including in both Australian and international contexts; and
4. employ advanced research, writing and presentation skills, including the preparation of written material relevant to the public policy sphere.

Regular attendance and participation in class work is required, and participation in tutorials is compulsory. 

1. 750 word policy brief (25%) (LO 1, 2, 3, 4)
2. 2,500 word essay (40%) (LO 1, 2, 3 4)
3. Tutorial facilitation (25%) (LO 2, 3, 4)
4. Tutorial preparation and participation (10%)

52 contact hours comprising one two-hour lecture and one two-hour tutorial per week.  Students must also attend one two-hour “masterclass” seminar in the semester and a public seminar  (students choose any relevant seminars held at the ANU, with the guidance of the convener). Substantial preparation is required for weekly tutorials.

96 units or written approval of the course convenor.

96 units towards a degree

Dovers, S. (2005) Environment and Sustainability Policy: creation, implementation, evaluation. Sydney: The Federation Press.

Althaus, C., Bridgman, P. and Davis, G. (2007) The Australian Policy Handbook. (4th edition). Sydney: Allen and Unwin.

Dovers, S and Wild River, S. (eds) (2003) Managing Australia's Environment, The Federation Press.

[Tutorial readings will be available from the course website after the first week of semester.]