GISDepartment of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies

The world continues to face global environmental challenges – climate change, deforestation, biodiversity loss and pollution, among others. As a response, different international initiatives are being implemented, resulting in a variety of agreements, laws, regulations and other policy mechanisms. This course focuses on international environmental policy (IEP), and explores the motivations, challenges and opportunities of IEP actions, taking into consideration the role of multilateral organizations (e.g. the United Nations), governments, corporations, NGOs and local communities. The course includes in-depth analysis of particularly relevant IEP arrangements in the areas of agriculture, forestry, biodiversity, climate, urbanization and trade.

The main goals of the course are to:
-provide a basic understanding of current global environmental problems
-develop critical thinking regarding international policy mechanisms to tackle environmental problems
-enhance students’ ability to understand the risk, uncertainty and complexity embedded in IEP
-to cultivate students’ capacity to critically assess the motivations, challenges and opportunities related to IEP actions
-learn to work collaboratively with other classmates in the elaboration and presentation of a group project.
-improve basic professional skills regarding self-organization, planning, time management, and respect for diversity in points of view.

Will be able to gain “DP 1”, “DP 2”, “DP 3” and “DP 4”.

英語 / English

The course consists of short lectures and interactive class discussions and presentations in which students address, from a critical perspective, the topics covered each week (prepared prior to class). At the end of the course, students have the opportunity to present their (group) project and discuss it in class. Feedback will be given through class discussion and in response to submitted assignments and individual requests.

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：オンライン/online

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1[オンライン/online]：Introduction

Course overview

2[オンライン/online]：Environment

Background of global environmental issues and efforts to curb them; local and indigenous communities

3[オンライン/online]：Environmentalism

History of environmental movement and significant milestones

4[オンライン/online]：Policy

What and how of policy analysis

5[オンライン/online]：Env. Policy -Government I

Role of global institutions, e.g., United Nations; WTO; etc.; Sustainable Development

6[オンライン/online]：Env. Policy -Government II

Deeper exploration of environmental treaties, agreements, conventions, etc., e.g., Convention on Biological Diversity, carbon credits

7[オンライン/online]：Env. Policy -Government III

International Environmental Law in action

8[オンライン/online]：Env. Policy - Private

Corporate Social Responsibility; Environment, Social, and Governance; Greenwashing

9[オンライン/online]：Env. Policy -Nongovernment

Importance of non-governmental organizations, e.g. CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research); Certification schemes

10[オンライン/online]：Agroforestry

Policy analysis of sustainable farming model and development impacts; carbon sequestration

11[オンライン/online]：Review

Preparations for presentations; question and answer

12[オンライン/online]：Student Presentations I

Students present their (group) project and discuss it with the class

13[オンライン/online]：Student Presentations II

Students present their (group) project and discuss it with the class

14[オンライン/online]：Conclusion

Reflections on the course and the way forward for int. env. policy

Reading of materials identified (and often provided) by the instructor; Preparation of discussion talking points and questions; Group report/presentation. Preparatory study and review time for this class are 2 hours each.

Global Environmental Politics 8th Edition,
by Pamela S. Chasek (Author), David L. Downie (Author)
(available and recommended in electronic format)
ISBN 9780367227623 / ASIN : B08P63C8G3
Published by Routledge

Various references will be noted within the course materials.

Students will be evaluated on the basis of class participation (40%) and a final review report/presentation (35/25%). Class participation will be judged based on attendance, preparation of questions/comments for discussion, and peer review during group work scenarios.

Students are encouraged to utilize the discussion time to speak in class.

Computer

Instructor reserves the right to adapt this syllabus as they deem fit during the course of the semester.

none