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Academic Year 2005/2006

Environmental Policy and Polit
GOVT 374 SP

Environmental protection constitutes the most ambitious regulatory commitment in the United States (and most capitalist democracies). It also constitutes one of the most interesting topics for policy and political analysts for several reasons. First the policy is inherently complex. It requires the integration of rapidly evolving bodies of scientific and social scientific research. Second, the policy is inherently expensive. Mitigation and control impose large costs on businesses, creating powerful incentives for mobilization and forcing officials to place a greater emphasis on the costs and benefits of their actions. Third, the policy is increasingly challenged by new problems, both domestic (e.g., the intersection of civil rights and environmental policy) and global (e.g., climate change and sustainable development). Reflecting these factors, environmental protection has been under transition for several decades, as policymakers search for new innovations in policy and institutional design.

This seminar will explore environmental regulation in the United States. In addition to providing a comprehensive overview of core policies, we will explore several topics including: the philosophical foundations of environmentalism; the factors shaping political mobilization in support and in opposition to policy; the difficulties encountered by bureaucratic agencies in managing scientific and social scientific complexity; the efforts to develop innovative approaches to regulation; and the challenges posed by a number of global environmental problems. Although the seminar focuses on environmental protection in the U.S., we will draw on examples of environmental regulation in a number of other nations.

MAJOR READINGS

Major readings in the field.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Oral presentations and a major research project.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Past exposure to economics and environmental science are helpful but not necessary.

"Students who wish to be eligible to register for the course during Drop/Add must add themselves to the enrollment request system during on-line registration. Enrollment request preference rankings will be one factor I will consider in making Drop/Add period registration decisions."

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS GOVT    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-30-2006

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