ENP-35806 Environmental Quality and Governance

Vak

Studiepunten 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

As students participating in this course can have a background in ecology, policy making and environmental sociology or environmental toxicology and water quality, no specific knowledge is assumed. We do assume, however, that you are very eager to learn more about the 'other' fields of science in the knowledge that this is vital for everyone aspiring to a future in environmental management.

Contents:

Environmental quality is fundamental to the healthy functioning of ecosystems which in turn support human cultural, social and economic activities. To estimate and reduce the risk of poor environmental quality, policy makers require a sound technical understanding of biological and physico-chemical processes, as well as the social, administrative and economic forces determining the use of the environment. This course enables students to explore the possible role of science in the public policy process by bringing together key concepts in environmental toxicology, water quality, public administration, and environmental governance. In the first half of the course you will become acquainted with technical skills required to gathering, processing and interpreting data on environmental toxicology and water quality, as well as relevant social science theories on the relationship between science and politics in the public policy process. In the second half of the course you will participate in a policy simulation in which you must generate, interpret and present scientific data needed to estimate and reduce the risk associated with poor environmental quality. The course caters for students with a background in either natural or social sciences by providing a unique opportunity to integrate both perspectives into practical environmental research and policy.

Learning outcomes:

On completion of the course you should be able to:
- explain the basic principles and indicators of environmental quality and appraise their application in environmental risk assessment;
- evaluate a range of toxicological and water quality research methods and analyse the uncertainty scientists and policy makers face when using the results of environmental risk assessments;
- use social science concepts such as risk society and uncertainty to explain and assess the role of public and private actors in negotiations over environmental policy;
- critically analyse the formulation of policy goals, as well as technical and political strategies for engaging public and private sector actors to improve environmental quality.

Activities:

- the course will consist of 12 lectures in which key concepts in each discipline will be introduced;
- students will then have an opportunity to develop practical skills in toxicology and water quality assessment;
- a policy game or simulation will provide students with a chance to put skills and theories into practice;
- students will be asked to hand in an individual major paper in which they will reflect on the linkages between the theory introduced in the lectures and their experiences in the simulation;
- finally there will be an exam to test the basic knowledge and understanding gathered during the course.

Examination:

Students will be assessed on tasks set through the simulation and practicals, and a final exam designed test the basic knowledge and understanding gathered during the course. The breakdown of marks is as follows: practicals and related assignments (30%), simulation participation and related assignments (30%), and a final exam (40%). All assessments will be marked out of 10 and to pass the course you must get at least 5.5 on each of the tasks.

Literature:

See course guide.