ENP-35806 Environmental Quality and Governance

Course

Credits 6.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Individual Paper2
Lectures16
Practical intensively supervised40
Tutorial17
Course coordinator(s)prof. dr. SR Bush
Lecturer(s)prof. dr. SR Bush
prof. dr. AJ Murk
JHJ van den Berg
prof. dr. AA Koelmans
dr. A Dewulf
F Gillissen
Examiner(s)prof. dr. SR Bush

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

As students participating in this course can have a background in aquaculture, 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 marine management.

Contents:

Environmental quality is fundamental to the healthy functioning of marine and coastal 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 marine and coastal biological and physico-chemical processes, as well as the social, administrative and economic forces determining the use of the marine 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 in marine and coastal areas. 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 marine environmental research and policy.

Learning outcomes:

On completion of the course students should be able to:
- demonstrate insight into the basic principles and indicators of marine environmental quality and be able to identify the main ingredients for environmental risk assessment;
- evaluate a range of toxicological and water quality research methods and understand the uncertainty scientists and policy makers face when using the results of environmental risk assessments;
- use instruments and research tools to understand and evaluate the role of public and private actors in negotiations over environmental policy;
- analyse, develop and evaluate goals and technical and political strategies for engaging public and private sector actors to improve marine 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 over the final three weeks of the course;
- 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:

The final mark will be based on practical assignments, participation in the policy game, the individual paper and a final exam.

Literature:

To be announced.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Compulsory for: MESEnvironmental SciencesMSc2AF, 5MO
MAMAquaculture and Marine Resource ManagementMSc2AF