This is an intensive course offered on an annual basis. The course will be delivered from 6 - 17 February 2017.
The course focuses on the dynamic field of international environmental policy (IEP), a field that has grown rapidly and dramatically over the last three decades, driven by concern over unprecedented and large-scale global environmental change, including climate change, biodiversity loss, deforestation, marine degradation, and expanding trade and consumption. International environmental policy now directly and indirectly affects the behaviour and decisions of governments, corporations, NGOs, local communities and individuals.
The course takes an interdisciplinary approach, drawing insights from areas including ecology, law, economics, international relations and politics, and incorporates lectures, guest speakers from NGOs and government, panel discussions, debates and workshops, with an emphasis on understanding the real-world dynamics of policy formation and debate.
The course will cover the nature of IEP; its development over recent decades; the actors and institutions which form and influence it; and the conflicts which shape it. Key areas of debate within IEP will be examined, including tensions between conservation and development; conflicts around knowledge, science, and uncertainty; and reliance on 'command and control' vs market-based approaches.
Cross-cutting issues include gender, the fight against poverty, and the role of corporations. These issues will be explored through analysis of topical case studies, such as equity and climate change; biodiversity and livelihoods; biofuels and deforestation; and genetically modified organisms and international trade.
Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but are assessed separately. There are additional sessions for post-graduates.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Broadly explain the development and nature of international environmental policy (IEP), including the operation of regimes
- Explain and critically analyse key debates that shape IEP, and the key challenges it faces
- Explain and critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of international governance responses to environmental issues
- Design, participate in, and lead group learning processes and activities in the context of environmental policy
Work Integrated Learning
Projects
Students may engage with WIL partners (internal/external) as a component of the course
Indicative Assessment
- E-poster on an international environmental treaty (10) [LO 1]
- Policy Paper (40) [LO 2,3,4]
- Tutorial facilitation and participation (20) [LO 1,2,3]
- Mini-Conference of Parties (COP) (15) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Seminar Discussion and Summaries (15) [LO 1,2,3,4]
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.
Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the session including:
- Face-to face component which will consist 60 contact hours delivered intensively over 2 separate blocks comprising lectures, tutorials and practicals
- Approximately 70 hours of self-directed study which will include preparation for lectures, presentations and other assessment tasks.
Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions.
Inherent Requirements
No inherent requirements have been identified for this course.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
None
Preliminary Reading
Speth & Haas (2006) Global Environmental Governance, Chapter 2: Global scale environmental challenges (e-reserve, Chifley).
Clapp & Dauvergne (2005) Paths to a Green World: The Political Economy of the Environment, Chapter 1: Peril or Prosperity: Mapping Worldviews of Global Environmental Change.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Summer Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1141 | 01 Jan 2026 | 23 Jan 2026 | 23 Jan 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | In Person | N/A |