In this course we examine local, national and international environmental governance issues, with a focus on ethical principles, theories and frameworks that may be used to address a wide range of problems relating to environment and development issues, in the domains of biodiversity conservation, climate change, and forests and fisheries management, among others. We consider the organisations, institutions and actors influencing environmental management, and we look for policies and tools to address the problems of environmental degradation and social inequality. A range of resource management approaches are also considered, including common property management, market and non-market incentives for resource management, government regulation and planning, decentralization, and indigenous and community-based initiatives.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Articulate key theories and frameworks underpinning environmental governance
- Critically analyse and communicate about environmental governance issues
- Contribute to the development of solutions to environmental governance problems at the local, national, and global levels
- Reflect upon the diversity of values, knowledges and practices involved in environmental governance, including First Nations' perspectives.
Staff Feedback
Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:- Written comments
- Verbal comments
- Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups
Student Feedback
ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.Class Schedule
Week/Session | Summary of Activities | Assessment |
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1 | Defining environmental governance: This lecture considers the global environmental crisis, and how policy and governance can shape human responses to the crisis. Policy narratives and actors are identified and defined. | |
2 | International environmental governance: This lecture focuses on international perspectives and frameworks for tackling environmental problems. Key multi-lateral environmental agreements are defined and examined, like UN Conventions for Biodiversity and Climate. | |
3 | The nature of environmental issues and stakeholders: This lecture engages with complexity, uncertainty and the notion of "wicked problems". Governance in these contexts is challenging, and we consider "stakeholder analysis" as a basic analytical approach for problem-solving. | |
4 | Conservation and development: This lecture explores the deep and contested literature on protected areas and their impacts on local livelihoods and indigenous rights. We revisit debates in the context of renewed calls for expansion of protected areas. | |
5 | Community-based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM): This lecture explores the history of community engagement in natural resource management. The principles of participation and co-management are explored in theory and with reference to practical examples like Community Forestry. | |
6 | Indigenous Protected Areas and Joint Management in Australia: This lecture explores the role of Indigenous people in managing Country in Australia, and beyond. Ideas of sovereignty and decolonial conservation area explored here, with reference to practical examples. | |
7 | Market-based approaches in the Global South: This lecture examines how environmental markets have been crafted and mobilised in order for environmental governance. Prominent mechanisms like Payments for Environmental Services (PES) and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) will be explored, with reference to practical examples and cases. | |
8 | New trends in environmental markets in Australia: This lecture explores how market logics are being used to generate carbon credits and biodiversity offsets in Australia. We consider regulatory and structural issues associated with this emerging markets, with reference to case material. | |
9 | Principles and instruments for good governance: This lecture explores efforts to increase transparency and accountability in extractive sectors, for improved environmental outcomes. | |
10 | NGOs and the environment: This lecture examines the wide range of environmental NGOs that exist, including their diverse approaches. Some are government-aligned, while others choose activist or advocacy approaches. The pros and cons of these stances are considered, with reference to examples. | |
11 | Challenges in international and transboundary policy-making: This lecture explores governance arrangements and challenges in relation to the "wicked problem" of smoke haze from peatlands in Indonesia. We consider regulating transboundary and multi-scalar problems in this lecture. | |
12 | The next decade: In this final lecture we return to the environmental crisis, and consider gaps in policy action and effectiveness. This week we will have a Q&A session with a prominent environmental leader to discuss future steps for avoiding catastrophic climate change and mass extinction. |
Assessment Summary
Assessment task | Value | Due Date | Return of assessment | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Discussion Forum | 5 % | 18/03/2022 | 23/03/2022 | 1,2 |
Stakeholders analysis paper | 35 % | 01/04/2022 | 16/04/2022 | 1,2 |
Podcast to present the draft essay | 10 % | 14/05/2022 | 21/05/2022 | 1,2,3 |
Essay | 50 % | 31/05/2022 | 02/07/2022 | 1,2,3 |
* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details
Policies
ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:- Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
- Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
- Student Surveys and Evaluations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
Assessment Requirements
The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.Moderation of Assessment
Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.Assessment Task 1
Learning Outcomes: 1,2
Discussion Forum
Students are asked to read and comment critically on one of the class readings, in the class discussion forum. 250 words.
Assessment Task 2
Learning Outcomes: 1,2
Stakeholders analysis paper
This short essay asks students to identify an environmental problem, and analyse its stakeholders. 2000 words. The details of the task and the assessment criteria are available on Wattle
Assessment Task 3
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3
Podcast to present the draft essay
Students will record a 3 minute podcast to the class channel, about their final essay. The details of the task and the assessment criteria are available on Wattle
Assessment Task 4
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3
Essay
This final essay asks students to examine policy responses to an environmental problem, looking at the underlying policy ideas and their effectiveness. 3000 words. The details of the task and the assessment criteria are available on Wattle
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.Online Submission
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.Hardcopy Submission
For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.Late Submission
Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.
Referencing Requirements
Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.Extensions and Penalties
Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.Privacy Notice
The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.Distribution of grades policy
Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.Support for students
The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).- ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
- ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
- ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
- ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
- ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
- ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
- PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students
Convener
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Research InterestsConservation and development, political ecology, Southeast Asia, Australia |
Dr Sarah Milne
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Instructor
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Research Interests |
Dr Sarah Milne
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