Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Synopsis This subject stems from the premise that environmental policies arise from a rich variety of contexts and cannot be adequately understood by the adoption of narrowing scientific and technological interpretations which disregard those contexts. The basic premise is explained in the introductory section. The first substantive section provides a series of overlapping discussions which explain the foundation of environmental policy. Lectures focus on the importance of the production of data as response and product; the influence of Federal-State structures, key agencies, agreements, and regulatory mechanisms; ethical and equity considerations; the general nature and contributions of environmental law and environmental economics; and case studies of the applications of science in the production of environmental impact statements. The next section consolidates the emphasis on contextualations by outlining significant aspects of the politicalisation of environmentalism and the critical involvement of government agencies and their senior personnel.
Assessment Written (1500 words): 45% + Examination (1.5 hours): 45% + Tutorial attendance and performance: 10%