OSHER 452 - Environmental Policymaking in the United States

Environmental policymaking incorporates many approaches to address the effects of human activities on the natural world upon which all life depends. Every day, environmental policy is made, knowingly or ignorantly, by a variety of stakeholders: individuals, groups, communities, nongovernmental organizations, tribes, governments, and businesses. The purpose of this course is to introduce the history, concepts, and analytical methods of environmental policymaking in the United States. This information will be presented using real-world examples of environmental policymaking, from global warming to species extinction. This course will also explore how environmental policymaking can be a deliberative process, a fluke, a sin of omission or commission, an unintended consequence, a tragedy, a success, or "c'est pire q'un crime, c'est un faute" (it's worse than a crime, it's a mistake). A policymaking framework will be provided to assist participants in applying the skills and concepts learned in this course to identify, discuss, analyze, and address a variety of environmental concerns.