GISDepartment of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies

This course explores opportunities and challenges for international environmental regulations, examining the interactions between international organizations, national governments, NGOs, multinational corporations, and local communities in global environmental rule-making. Students will engage in a detailed analysis of global environmental governance, addressing key sectors such as agriculture, forestry, biodiversity, climate, urbanization, and trade. Through case studies, policy analysis, and simulations, students will develop a critical understanding of the complex dynamics involved in shaping international environmental policy.

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

1. Understand the historical evolution and current state of global environmental governance.
2. Identify the roles of key actors in the international environmental policy arena.
3. Analyze the interaction between global environmental policies and national/local governments.
4. Critically evaluate the effectiveness of various international environmental agreements.
5. Develop and propose policy solutions to address global environmental challenges.

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). Feedback will be given through the following:

- Comments from submitted reaction papers and insightful comments from reaction papers will be introduced in class and used in deeper discussions.
- Submission of assignments and feedback will be via the Learning Management System.
- In the final class, comments and explanations will be given for assignments (tests and reports, etc.)for all classes taken/held during the semester.

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：対面/face to face

※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 to International Environmental Policy

Overview of key themes, historical evolution of governance, introduction to key actors

2[対面/face to face]：Global Environmental Governance Frameworks

Discussion on multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), principles of environmental governance

3[対面/face to face]：Role of International Organizations

Group presentations on the role of international organizations

4[対面/face to face]：National Governments and Environmental Policy

Case study: U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement

5[対面/face to face]：The Role of NGOs in International Env-policy Discussions

Case study: Greenpeace's impact on global climate policy

6[対面/face to face]：Multinational Corporations and Environmental Governance

Debate on the role of corporations in environmental governance

7[対面/face to face]：Group Presentations

Group Presentations

8[対面/face to face]：Biodiversity and International Environmental Policy

Case study: International efforts to protect endangered species

9[対面/face to face]：Agriculture, Forestry, and Environmental Governance

Role-playing simulation on international deforestation negotiations

10[対面/face to face]：Urbanization, Trade, and Environmental Policy

Case study: Sustainable urban development in megacities

11[対面/face to face]：Trade and Environmental Conflicts

Case study: The tuna-dolphin dispute between the US and Mexico

12[対面/face to face]：Local Communities and International Policy

Case study: Indigenous rights in international climate policy

13[対面/face to face]：Global Environmental Justice and Equity

Group discussion on global environmental equity

14[対面/face to face]：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.

1. Biermann, F., & Pattberg, P. (Eds.). (2012). Global Environmental Governance Reconsidered. MIT Press.
2. Carter, N. (2021). The Politics of the Environment: Ideas, Activism, Policy (4th ed.). Cambridge University Press
3. Chasek, P. S., Downie, D. L., & Brown, J. W. (2020). Global Environmental Politics (8th ed.). Routledge.
4.IPCC reports, WTO case files, and other supplementary articles will be provided weekly.

Various references will be noted within the course materials.Each week's materials would include essential resources that would be accessed through reputable platforms such as UNEP, IPCC, CBD, WTO, and academic journals like Global Environmental Politics and Environmental Politics. These would provide comprehensive overviews, case studies, and frameworks for deeper understanding.

1. Class Participation (30%): Active participation in class discussions/presentations/reflection paper/debates and demonstrating engagement with class readings.

2. Group Presentation (30%): Students will select a topic of their choice from a given list of discussed class topics.

3. Final Exam (40%): A mix of multiple-choice questions and short essay questions covering key concepts from five key topics discussed in class.

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

Computer

The instructor reserves the right to adapt this syllabus as they deem fit during the course of the semester. Students will be promptly informed of any such changes in class.

none