The environment has been a major topic in international relations for nearly half a century now. Typically of a cross-border nature, environmental problems have been identified as a quintessential policy area for international cooperation –interests, ideas and institutions play out at the international arena that shape the who gets what in this domain. This has been particularly so since the 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment (Stockholm), which usually taken as the first significant instance of global environmental diplomacy. Since then, states, intergovernmental organizations, businesses, NGOs and scientists all have deployed considerable resources to foster, influence or derail negotiations on international agreements regarding climate change, biodiversity, bio-safety, acid rain, stratospheric ozone, desertification, trade in endangered species, hazardous wastes, whales, the Antarctic, or marine pollution, among other environmental issues.

This course addresses both the analytical and empirical components of international environmental politics. Sessions are designed to link the analytical and conceptual discussion (the study of actors, power, interests, institutions, ideas, etc.) with the presentation of specific international negotiations, conferences and regimes. Core readings have been selected to fit this purpose.

The course is offered in two different formats. On the one hand, it is the core course for the MIR pathway on International Environmental Policy. Under this option, the group meets for 18 sessions, totalling 6 ECTS (3 credits of lectures plus 3 of seminars). On the other hand, it can be taken as an elective by any other student of the other MA programmes offered at IBEI, for 12 selected sessions (4 ECTS, 3 of lectures plus 1 of seminars).

Assessment

Class as a pathway core course

The final grade will depend on three different components:

• One short essay (15%). Each student will write a 1000 words essay on the topic of one lecture session. Essays and topics will be assigned at the beginning of the course. Students who have been allocated a session are expected to lead the debate in that session by posing questions and otherwise contributing actively to the discussion.

• Quizzes at the end of the 3 pathway+elective seminars (10%).

• Note cards and participation (session 16) (25%; 15+10). (3 note cards).

• Final exam (50%). 

Class as an elective course

The final grade will depend on three different components:

• One short essay (25%). Each student will write a 1000 words essay on the topic of two lecture sessions. Essays and topics will be assigned at the beginning of the course. Students who have been allocated a session are expected to lead the debate in that session by posing questions and otherwise contributing actively to the discussion.

• Participation (10%).

• Quizzes at the end of the 3 seminars (15%).

• Final exam (50%).

Competences, learning outcomes and teaching activities (PDF)