Advanced Problems in Environmental Policy - (NRSM 622)

Course Description

This course examines a number of policy problems and contemporary issues in environmental policy, law, and administration. Problems and opportunities related to public land conflict and governance, environmental planning, science and decision making, tribal resource management, and private land development, among others, are analyzed. It is a readings-based seminar and students lead most reviews and discussions.

• There is no prerequisite for the seminar. Students with little or no policy background are advised to first take FOR 422 Natural Resource Policy and Administration (for graduate credit) or another environmental policy/law course. Students may also want to consult the 422 textbook for background information: James Rasband, James Salzman, and Mark Squillace, Natural Resources Law and Policy (New York: Foundation Press, 2004). It is available at the bookstore and on reserve (for FOR 422).
• Required Reading: All required reading has been placed on electronic reserve at http://eres.lib.umt.edu. Password: Ilovetoread.
• We will also discuss a number of contemporary issues in environmental policy. An excellent way to stay up-to-date is provided by the Center for the Rocky Mountain West’s Headwaters News online at www.headwatersnews.org; High Country News online at www.hcn.org; and the Land Letter online at http://www.eenews.net/ll/

Course Objectives

This course is designed to provide students with the following:

1. Reading, Writing and Critical Thinking Skills: This is a reading and writing-intensive class that asks students to think critically about a number of different issues.
2. Information and Knowledge: Students will acquire a fundamental understanding of some of the most persistent and advanced problems in environmental policy.
3. Conceptual and Analytical Skills: Students will also better understand the various approaches, strategies, and tools to environmental policy problems.
4. Research skills: Students will acquire policy-legal research skills and familiarize themselves with various tools and resources available for academic and non-academic policy-legal research.
5. The Student as Citizen & the Environmental Professional as Reflective Practitioner: Students should leave this course with a better understanding of environmental politics and policy from a citizen and professional perspective.