Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2016

Environmental Sciences Master Information
Major in Environmental Systems Policy
Policy Engagement
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
701-1543-00LTransdisciplinary Methods and ApplicationsW3 credits2GP. Krütli, M. Stauffacher
AbstractThe course deals with transdisciplinary (td) methods, concepts and their applications in the context of case studies and other problem oriented research projects. Td methods are used in research at the science-society interface and when collaborating across scientific disciplines.
Students learn to apply methods within a functional framework. The format of the course is seminar-like, interactive.
ObjectiveAt the end of the course students should:

Know:
-Function, purpose and algorithm of a selected number of transdisciplinary methods

Understand:
-Functional application in case studies and other problem oriented projects

Be able to reflect on:
-Potential, limits, and necessity of transdisciplinary methods

Be prepared for:
-Transdisciplinary Case Study 2017
ContentThe lecture is structured as follows:

- Overview of concepts and methods of inter-/transdisciplinary integration of knowledge, values and interests (approx. 20%)
- Analysis of a selected number of transdisciplinary methods focusing problem framing, problem analysis, and impact (approx. 50%)
- Practical application of the methods in a broader project setting (approx. 30%)
Lecture notesHandouts are provided by the lecturers
LiteratureSelected scientific articles and book-chapters
Prerequisites / NoticeThis course is recommended and helpful for students participating in the Transdisciplinary Case Study 2017.
701-1551-00LSustainability AssessmentW3 credits2GP. Krütli, C. E. Pohl
AbstractThe course deals with the concepts and methodologies for the analysis and assessment of sustainable development. A special focus is given to the social dimension and to social justice as a guiding principle of sustainability as well as to trade-offs between the three dimensions of sustainability.

The course is seminar-like, interactive.
ObjectiveAt the end oft he course students should

Know:
- core concepts of sustainable development, and;
- the concept of social justice - normatively and empirically - as a core element of social sustainability;
- important empirical methods for the analysis and assessment of local / regional sustainability issues.

Understand and reflect on:
- the challenges of trade-offs between the different goals of sustainable development;
- and the respective impacts on individual and societal decision-making.
ContentThe course is structured as follows:
- Overview of rationale, objectives, concepts and origins of sustainable development;
- Importance and application of sustainability in science, politics, society, and economy;
- Sustainable (local / regional) development in different national / international contexts;
- Analysis and evaluation methods of sustainable development with a focus on social justice;
- Trade-offs in selected examples.
Lecture notesHandouts.
LiteratureSelected scientific articles & book chapters
851-0735-11LEnvironmental Regulation: Law and Policy Restricted registration - show details
Does not take place this semester.
The course will be offered again in the spring semester 2017.

Number of participants limited to 15.

Particularly suitable for students of D-USYS
W3 credits1S
AbstractThe aim of this course is to make students with a technical scientific background aware of the legal and political context of environmental policy in order to place technical solutions in their regulatory context.
ObjectiveThe aim of this course is to equip students with a legal and regulatory skill-set that allows them to translate their technical knowledge into a policy brief directed at legally trained regulators. More generally, it aims to inform students with a technical scientific background of the legal and political context of environmental policy. The focus of the course will be on international and European issues and regulatory frameworks - where relevant, the position of Switzerland within these international networks will also be discussed.
ContentTopics covered in lectures:

(1) Environmental Regulation
a. Perspectives
b. Regulatory Challenges of Environment Problems
c. Regulatory Tools
(2) Law: International, European and national laws
a. International law
b. European law
c. National law
(3) Policy: Case studies

Assessment:
(i) Class participation (25%): Students will be expected to contribute to class discussions and prepare short memos on class readings.
(ii) Exam (75%) consisting of three parts:
a. Policy brief - a maximum of 2 pages (including graphs and tables);
b. Background document to the policy brief - this document sets out a more detailed and academic overview of the topic (maximum 8 pages including graphs and tables);
c. Presentation of the policy brief: presentations can use a maximum of 5 slides and can last 7 minutes.
Lecture notesThe course is taught as a small interactive seminar and significant participation is expected from the students. Participation will be capped at 15 in order to maintain the interactive nature of the classes. All classes, readings, and assignments, are in English.

Teaching will take place over two weeks in September and October. The exam date will be in December.

During the second week of the teaching period, students will have individual 30-minute meetings with the lecturer to discuss their project.
LiteratureAn electronic copy of relevant readings will be provided to the students at no cost before the start of the lectures.
Prerequisites / NoticeNo specific pre-existing legal knowledge is required, however all students must have successfully completed Grundzüge des Rechts (851-0708-00 V) or an equivalent course.

The course is (inter)related to materials discussed in Politikwissenschaft: Grundlagen (851-0577-00 V), Ressourcen- und Umweltökonomie (751-1551-00 V), Umweltrecht: Konzepte und Rechtsgebiete (851-0705-01 V), Rechtlicher Umgang mit natürlichen Ressourcen (701-0743-01 V), Environmental Governance (701-1651-00 G), Policy and Economics of Ecosystem Services (701-1653-00 G), International Environmental Politics: Part I (851-0594-00 V).
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