International Environmental Policy

Australian National University
29 June - 16 July 2010

Students must arrive by: 12:00pm, Monday 28 June
Students will be able to check-in to their accommodation from Saturday 26 June

DOWNLOAD PDF VERSION OF COURSE PROFILE

• Course Description
• Target Audience
  
• Delivery Method
• Assessment Details
• Accommodation
  
• Costs
• Further Information

Course Description

International environmental policy has grown dramatically over the last three decades, and now directly and indirectly affects the behaviour and decisions of governments, corporations, NGOs, local communities and individuals.

The emphasis of this course is on understanding the real-world dynamics of policy formation and debate. The course takes an interdisciplinary approach, drawing insights from areas including ecology, law, economics, international relations and politics. Most the course takes place on the ANU campus (winner of the Impact Award from the International Sustainable Campus Network, ISCN); four-five days towards the end of the course will be spent at the ANU Kioloa Coastal Campus.

We begin by exploring the foundations of the course, including:

• global dimensions of environmental degradation;
• international cooperation: why do we need it, and why is it difficult?
• what is IEP? who are the main actors, and how does it work?
• where did it come from? its growth and development over recent decades;
• the policy-making process: how does an issue move from a local concern to international agreement?

We go on to engage more deeply with major aspects, issues, direction,
and debates within IEP, both in the classroom and through
individual/group work. We examine:

• dynamics between “North” and “South” – developed and developing countries
• trade, globalisation and the environment
• the role of corporations
• the rise of new governance approaches: “governance without governments”

trade, globalisation and the environment

the role of corporations

the rise of new governance approaches: “governance without governments”.

Major themes include:

• what do we protect? tensions between conservation and human/economic development
• who decides? equity and power in international decision-making
• when do we act? conflicts around knowledge, science, and uncertainty
• what strategies will work? "command and control" vs market-based approaches

These debates and issues will be explored through analysis of specific international environmental policy regimes, such as those on biodiversity, ozone and climate change; and of topical case studies, such as biofuels and deforestation; bio-piracy and indigenous knowledge; and genetically modified organisms and international trade. The program also draws on contributions from leading ANU researchers in policy and international relations, and leading public sector practitioners.

Our field trip to the ANU Kioloa Coastal Campus is an opportunity to engage in interactive activities in a relaxed environment, as well as to explore local indigenous culture and environmental management and the beautiful beaches and wildlife of the south coast.

Target Audience

Students of this course are expected to be studying at senior undergraduate (third) or Honours (fourth) year, or postgraduate (Master) level. 

All students must be genuinely interested in engaging with international policy and governance perspectives on a range of environmental issues.  

The course is suitable for students from a wide range of academic backgrounds, including the sciences (pure and applied), social sciences and the arts, law, economics, and Asian or African studies; and particularly the disciplinary areas of geography, biology, sustainability science, international relations and political science.  

No particular academic background is assumed; indeed the diversity of backgrounds is part of the rich learning environment of the course.  Activities and assessment are structured to encourage students to draw on their particular skills and experience.

All classes, activities and assessment are conducted in English; students require excellent English language skills in reading, writing and speaking, as the course deals with a range of high-level material and a diversity of assessment tasks that draw on the range of communication skills.

Delivery Method

This course will incorporate lectures, including external speakers from contexts such as NGOs, corporations and government, and a range of learning approaches such as peer learning, small group seminars, panel discussions, workshops, and a simulated “Conference of the Parties”.

This course runs over 18 days, six days of which are a field trip to the ANU Kioloa Coastal Campus. Weekdays at ANU 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 will carry out a research assignment during this period, involving about 25 hours work. Field trip days involve approx 3 contact hours and 3 hours study per day.

Assessment Details

Assessment will include a wide range of activities including peer learning, student-facilitated tutorials, small group work, individual research and a mini “Conference of the Parties”. Planned assessment includes a class poster and presentations (10%), written case study (30%), peer-assessed tutorial facilitation (5%), participation (10%), and a learning portfolio (including mini Conference of the Parties (10%) and tutorial facilitation (10%)) (total 45%).

Accommodation

29 June – 9 July, Bruce Hall, ANU

Students will stay in single rooms that include a single bed, wardrobe, desk, chair and washbasin. The rooms are centrally heated and carpeted and are amongst the largest rooms available on the ANU campus. Toilet and shower facilities are located on each floor.

10 – 13 July, Kioloa Coastal Campus

The ANU Kioloa Campus is located near BawleyPoint on the New South Wales south coast. This historic rural property extends from the beach through coastal dunes to farmland and forests on the inland range of hills. The Kioloa property was given in perpetuity to The Australian National University in 1975 for the express purpose of conducting field teaching and research. Accommodation at Kioloa is in multi-room cabins with shared facilities.

14 – 16 July, University House, ANU

Students will stay in hotel-style accommodation at University House for the last three nights of the course. Accommodation is in single room, which includes private bathroom facilities.  A buffet breakfast is included in the cost of accommodation, however students will need to source their own lunch and dinner. A wide range of eating establishments are available on-campus and around the university.

Costs (Australian dollars)

Tuition fee: The tuition fee for IARU partner students will be sponsored by ANU

Accommodation: AUD $1093 (Bruce Hall and University House)

Includes all meals, except for lunch and dinner on the three final days (15, 16, 17 July) at University House. A number of cafes and restaurants are available both on-campus and close by that students may wish to utilise during this period, including a cafeteria style bistro cafe at University House.

Field-trip costs: AUD $500

Includes all transport, meals and accommodation at Kioloa Coastal Campus

Estimated visa cost:

Estimated text book costs: N/A

Estimated living expenses: 400 AUD

An estimate of 100 AUD per week as spending money plus 100 AUD for meals (lunch & dinner) on 15, 16, 17 July.

Further Information

For further information about this course, contact iaru.gsp@anu.edu.au.