Course Site

STVK01 - Environmental Governance, Spring term 2011

• Formal course syllabus (may be in Swedish)

---

General Course Information

The aim of the course is to examine environmental change from the perspective of governance theory. A point of departure is that we can understand environmental change as problems of governance. By modifying governance arrangements of environmental issues change can be slowed down or adapted to. The course critically examines the rise of alternative forms of governance beyond the state. The process of globalization is here seen as crucial as well as the interplay between structures and actors at multiple levels and in various spheres. The main focus of the course is on the intersection of government, market and civil society in efforts to mitigate and adapt to environmental change. Actors like regions, cities, international organizations, business, non-governmental organizations and social movements will be studied. Cases of environmental governance on various levels will be contrasted and compared. The course will give opportunity to reflect on these cases in relation to central political scientific concepts like democracy, justice, legitimacy and effectiveness. The course will also grapple with the underlying issue of the political, economic, and social causes of environmental change. That is, the discursive position one takes will to a large extent affect one’s view on the role of governance and the desirability and probability of different policy solutions.

Further information

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, students shall be able to

• compare and interrelate different understandings of the political, economic, and social causes for environmental change.
• analyze cases of environmental governance with theories covered by the course. 
• compare and interrelate different forms of environmental governance.
• reflect on theories and perspectives covered by the course in relation to cases of environmental governance.
• present her/his analysis in written and oral form that corresponds to academic standards.

Examination

The assessment of students will be based on the final essay and participation in the final essay seminar. For the grade pass, students also have to participate in the seminar on GM crops on January 27 and the group work with presentation March 24. These activities will only be graded pass or fail.