ENP-39306 Advanced International Environmental Politics

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

ENP-30306, International Environmental Policy

Contents:

The course will provide students with in-depth knowledge and engagement with international environmental politics, including new actors and mechanisms of rule-making and implementation. We will bring diverse theoretical traditions in political science, international relations and global environmental governance to bear on the ways in which to different actors conceptualize and work towards the legitimacy, accountability and effectiveness of international efforts to combat key trans-boundary environmental challenges.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- understand historical evolution and diverse theoretical traditions (realist, institutionalist, constructivist, deliberative) in international environmental politics;
- understand the latest theoretical debates about the changing nature and practices of international environmental policy-making, including actors, agents, architectures and accountability;
- understand the theory and practice of international environmental negotiations and diplomacy;
- read scholarly literature critically and synthesize key arguments;
- formulate and defend an own viewpoint, in writing and orally;
- write clearly and concisely;
- present and/or debate key concepts in international environmental politics;
- present and engage with alternative perspectives, through negotiation simulations.

Activities:

Suitable for an advanced graduate seminar-type course, activities will focus on encouraging active class participation; critical in-depth reading of scholarly literature; and developing research and writing skills. This will be done through individual assignments (critical reviews, essay). Group learning will be facilitated through negotiation simulation exercises. The work forms include tutorials, extensive practicals and individual papers.

Examination:

Examination will consist of individual research paper, short critical literature reviews, and student participation in the negotiation simulation exercise and in class discussions.

Literature:

Journal articles on the topics of the course from international peer reviewed journals; review articles, primary documentation (UN reports, international negotiation documents etc.).