Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives In order to demonstrate satisfactory completion of this core subject, students will need to show that they have a good general understanding of the social, political and bureaucratic underpinning of environmental policy-making; are alert to the importance of maintaining and extending appropriate interdisciplinary perspectives; are familiar with a selection of substantive case studies which explain the complex nature of the evolution and implementation of environmental policies in specific national settings; appreciate the limitations as well as the promises of the application.
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%