Rationale

 
This course will provide an overview of essential concepts and issues in the study of environmental politics. The assessment of the major modern environmental challenges, as well as the variables influencing the process of defining environmental problems, will receive special attention. Students will be guided to explore the current rise of environmental concern and the main actors promoting it. They will also look at the key actors and dynamics shaping the process and outcomes of national environmental policy-making and consider multiple aspects of international environmental politics including the global environmental regimes, international negotiations and international environmental aid. Finally, the economic implications of environmental politics as well as the role of public institutions in overcoming the challenges for sustainable development will be included in the course highlights. 

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course students will be expected to:

(i)    Determine causes and consequences of the environmental crisis.
(ii)   Identify varieties of environmental political action.
(iii)  Explain how environmental protests and movements have evolved throughout time.
(iv)  Assess the role of key actors and dynamics involved in environmental policy making.
(v)   Explain the impact of a country's political system on environmental policymaking.
(vi)  Assess the key debates surrounding environmental politics.
(vii) Describe the key features of environmental politics on the domestic and international level.
(viii) Analyse international environmental politics using a variety of relevant theories.
(ix)  Determine the essential elements of an effective environmental policy.
(x)   Describe the main economic tools used in environmental policy. 
(xi)  Determine the role of public institutions in overcoming the challenges for sustainable development.