GEO 5340 - System Dynamics and Environmental Policy

Meets with CVEEN 6660, GEOGR 6370, and POL S 6323. Environmental policy design requires an understanding of human interactions with environmental systems. It requires an accounting of the complexities of behavior, context and policy. These complexities often produce indirect and unanticipated consequences. They yield unexpected patterns and counter-intuitive results. Students from many academic fields learn user-friendly software (STELLA) to do environmental policy simulation without proficiency in advanced mathematics. Students use computer simulations to sort out environmental complexities; transform group perceptions into simulation models; apply principles of environmental management; test policy effects and define possible pathways for future policy change.