Who determines access to common timber, grasslands, and waters? Do rivers and species have legal "rights" that must be acknowledged? When does the release of wastes and leftovers, a.k.a. "pollution," cross the line from private to public decision? Is democracy compatible with good environmental governance? "Environmental governance" concerns the exercise of collective human authority over natural resources and systems. In this course, students review basic theories of governance then interweave theory, case studies, and relevant law to complete an overview of environmental governance and policy. This is a challenging 3000-level course, requiring substantial student engagement with critical reading and writing, and discussion of potentially controversial cases, throughout the semester.
- Teacher: Amy Knisley