International Environmental Policy
NRE 365 / Environ 365
Credits: 3

This course explores institutions, actors and outcomes in international environmental policymaking. It examines international dimensions of industrialized and developing country policies and considers normative and ethical issues, effects of political and economic power, institutional setting and world views. Special attention is given to negotiations in bilateral, regional, and global contexts; and to actors ranging from superpowers to small states, international organizations to non-governmental actors. An effort is made to identify the key actors, processes, and institutional arrangements necessary to address critical transboundary environmental problems. This is not a how-to-save-the-planet course. Nor is it a course on the state of the environment or on environmentalism. Rather, the focus is on key actors and the processes by which disputes are or can be managed. The course uses extensive readings, case studies and simulations and applies a variety of theoretical perspectives on international affairs. There are no prerequisites. Students must, however, be willing to fully engage in discussions and authentically perform roles assigned for simulations.