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Global Environmental Governance unit (KSM703)

The unit is taught as an intensive 5-day block of seminars which will be held during the Semester 2 mid-semester break (i.e. late August/early September). Students will participate in these seminars either in person or online; depending on their mode of enrolment. Following these seminars; students will write a research paper on a relevant topic of interest; as approved by the unit Coordinator; for submission at the end of the semester.

Introduction

The unit explores environmental governance in the context of areas of global concern and shared international management – focusing on the polar regions, the oceans and the global climate. The concepts of sustainable development and the global commons are crucial ideas governance in these areas. This unit discusses the historical development and contested nature of governance in specific controversies including the management of ocean fisheries, protection of marine biodiversity, whaling, conservation of Antarctica, and addressing the threat of climate change. Major issues and concepts covered in the unit include: "good governance" and international development; the theory of the tragedy of the commons and other hypotheses of collective action problems; shared governance of contested spaces and transboundary resources; and the geo-political context of global environmental governance. These issues are explored through case studies from around the world, and will include some consideration of Australia's role in the selected examples.

Summary

Unit name Global Environmental Governance
Unit code KSM703
Credit points 12.5
College/School Sciences and Engineering
Institute for Marine & Antarctic Studies
Discipline Oceans Ice and Climate
Coordinator Doctor Hanne Nielsen
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Postgraduate

Sustainable Development Goals

The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Learning Outcomes

  • Explain principal debates relating to the issues and practices of global environmental governance.
  • Analyse an environmental issue or problem by applying key theories of global environmental governance.
  • Evaluate governments’ and other organisations’ policies and practices relating to the environment.
  • Analyse and manage environmental governance problems using problem solving, advocacy and teamwork skills.

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

This unit is taught over a five day intensive period of seminars during the Semester 2 mid-semester break. This unit can also accommodate online students who are unable to attend Hobart during the 5-day intensive.

AssessmentWritten research proposal (10%)|International Environmental Negotiation (20%)|Oral presentation (20%)|Research Paper (50%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

There is no single textbook for this unit, however, the following book (available electronically through the library) is very useful as background reading and for several topics during the unit:


Oran Young, 2010, Institutional Dynamics: Emergent Patterns of International Environmental Governance, MIT Press, United States.

Recommended

An extensive list of recommended readings is provided in the unit outline at the start of Semester 2

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.