Environmental Governance, 7.5 Credits

Contents

This course examines environmental problems and global environmental change as complex, transboundary, multi-level and multi-sector issues, that need to be dealt with at all administrative levels (locally, nationally, and globally) and with an integrated approach across policy areas. Using theories of governance, the course examines what this may imply in practice for the policy-making and implementation of environmental politics on different levels. The course introduces key theoretical concepts useful for the understanding of global environmental change as a policy problem, and employs different ideological perspectives for a further understanding and analysis of the mechanisms driving global environmental change and environmental politics. Contemporary environmental problems serve as examples throughout the course, along with examples of environmental policy-making and policy challenges in different contexts.

The course is one of four mandatory modules (moment) of Political Science B (Statsvetenskap B), but can also be taken as a separate course.

Expected learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course are expected to
• Understand the complexity of environmental problems and global environmental change, and the challenges this poses to collective action in the environmental field.
• Understand and apply key theoretical concepts including sustainable development, multi-level governance, and institutional interplay.
• Understand the multi-level character of environmental governance for sustainable development, including the negotiations concerning environmental regimes, and apply theories of governance to the policy-making and implementation of environmental politics.
• Be able to employ and argue different ideological perspectives on global environmental change and the search for solutions.
• Understand and discuss issues of power and contextual challenges in relation environmental governance, e.g. in developing compared to industrialized countries.

Required Knowledge

Univ: 30 ECTS-credits in Political Science or equivalent.

Form of instruction

The course consists of lectures, seminars (including oral presentations), and a role-play (including a written assignment and oral presentations). The lectures aim to support students’ learning as a complement to individual studies of the required readings; the seminars offer the opportunity to further discuss issues and concepts introduced throughout the course; and the role-play provides a deeper understanding of how global environmental governance is carried out, as well as a chance to practice skills of argumentation and oral presentation. Participation in seminars and role-play is mandatory.

Examination modes

The course grade is based on active participation in seminars and role-play, completion of seminar and role-play assignments (oral and written), and a take-home exam. Three grades can be awarded: Fail (U), Pass (G), and Pass with distinction (VG).
Students who fail an examination may retake that examination up to 5 times. A student has the right to be tested in accordance with the same syllabus as during the original examination twice, for up to two years after the first registration. A student has the right to request a new examiner if he/she fails two sub-course examinations (i.e. an examination and a retest). In such cases students should contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies (Studierektor).

The Director of Undergraduate Studies (Studierektor) makes decisions about transfer credits for a module or course. Students who want to transfer credits should submit a written request to the Director of Undergraduate Studies. The request should specify which module or course the request applies to. An official transcript should also be submitted. The transcript must include the following information: where and when the course was given, the discipline and level of the course, total course credits and grade received. A syllabus describing the course and listing required reading should be submitted with the request. Where applicable, written research papers should also be submitted.

Other regulations

Course evaluations are administered at the end of each module.