This paper is an introduction to the exciting and important field of global environmental politics and policy. We will look at environmental policy development in the international arena, examining how competing interests, values and a range of actors have shaped the nature of global politics and policy. We will explore contemporary debates on issues of sustainability, social justice, and environmental governance. We will seek to understand the political structures and processes underpinning the search for cooperative solutions to environmental dilemmas such as climate change policy.

To do this, we will engage in a collective project of study, involving lectures, Moodle lessons, and intensive class discussions of course readings and case studies. There are no prerequisites for the course other than an interest in the subject and a willingness to work and participate actively.

This paper is delivered over A trimester through one Moodle lesson and one workshop session per week. In-class workshop sessions are interactive, involving active class participation in discussion of readings, videos, and cases, as well as an environmental treaty negotiations role play. There are a number of assigned readings for each week that are introduced in the online lesson along with key concepts.

I find this subject compelling, provoking, and important. I will endeavour to make the class interesting and fun by using a variety of learning techniques and exercises. All of these involve you in some mode of active learning, of learning by doing. My goals for this class are to collectively deepen our understanding of global environmental politics and policy, sharpen our critical thinking skills, improve our ability to write and speak well, and strengthen our capacity to work collaboratively with others.

Please plan on doing the following to ensure you get the most out of this paper:

• Familliarise yourself with this course outline, course requirements and expectations, and all assessments
• Read all assigned materials on time - before coming to the weekly class.

Oral and written communication skills are an essential part of education and a prerequisite to learning about politics, public policy, and public administration. These skills are not only important in this course but will be beneficial in your future career and your role as a citizen. Learning to write well is something only you can do through your own hard work, but there are resources available to assist you. I will be as helpful as I can in providing specific suggestions, comments and encouragement.

Conca, K., & Dabelko, G. D. (Eds.). (2019). Green planet blues: Critical perspectives on global environmental politics (6th ed.). Routledge. https://doi-org.ezproxy.waikato.ac.nz/10.4324/9780429322204

Nicholson, S., & Wapner, P. K. (Eds.). (2015). Global environmental politics: From person to planet. Paradigm Publishers. https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.waikato.ac.nz/lib/waikato/detail.action?pq-origsite=primo&docID=4819349 (NB: this is available via the library catalogue as both a physical and electronic book)

Additional course readings will be made available via the Waikato Reading List. A link to the Reading List will be posted on the Moodle page for POLCY318­-22A.