Course Catalogue

View Specification Document | Reading List

In this course students will study how states and non-state actors seek to cooperate to address global environmental problems. We begin by identifying the theoretical foundations of international cooperation and governance as well as the role that institutions, states and non-state actors play in these political processes. Students will use this analytical toolkit to evaluate why some environmental problems can be governed effectively, while others cannot.

Seminar: two hours per week, for 10 weeks

Entry to Honours Politics or IR requires a grade point average of 12 (Grade C) over Politics 2A and Politics 2B as a first attempt.

None

It is recommended that students do not take Global Energy Politics (POLITIC4168) at the same time as this course.

None

Policy Briefing, 1800 words (40%)

Essay, 3000 words (60%)

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below.

In this course students will study how states and non-governmental actors seek to cooperate to address global environmental problems. We begin by identifying the theoretical foundations of international cooperation and governance as well as the role that institutions, states and non-state actors play in these political processes. Students will use this analytical toolkit to evaluate why some environmental problems can be governed effectively, while others cannot. Topics discussed in class include questions like: Why are climate politics so difficult? Do democracies have better environmental policies? Can international environmental agreements be effective? What role do firms and activist networks play in environmental cooperation? All these topics are rooted in the most recent literature and, where applicable, linked to current policy debates.

By the end of the course students should be able to:

■ demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the major theories of global environmental politics;

■ apply relevant concepts and theories to analyse the interaction between the political, economic, and institutional aspects of global environmental politics;

■ interpret a range of quantitative and qualitative research findings regarding pressing global environmental problems, such as climate change and biodiversity;

■ critically assess the different goals of global environmental policy and governance, and identify the key trade-offs involved in environmental policy-making;

■ evaluate the political, economic and social implications of adopting different environmental policy options;

■ advance reasoned and evidence-based arguments, both orally and in writing.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.