Science, Technology & Society, University of Wollongong

Studies in resource and environmental policy
STS929
Autumn session, 2002

SUBJECT NOTES
(5 March version)
These notes, plus additional information, are posted at
http://www.uow.edu.au/arts/sts/bmartin/classes/

Subject coordinator
Brian Martin, room 19.2059
Mailing address: STS, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522
Phone: 4228 7860 (home), 4221 3763 (work)
Fax  4221 5341
Email: brian_martin@uow.edu.au
Web http://www.uow.edu.au/arts/sts/bmartin/
	Sometimes you can find me in my office, especially in the afternoons. You are also welcome to contact me by phone (at home after 8am and before 9pm, please), fax or email, to discuss any issue or make an appointment.

Objectives:
This subject aims to introduce you to the key ideas involved in the negotiation and formation of environmental policy. In particular, it aims to provide you with a critical understanding of:
•	The context within which environmental policy is conceived, the  changing nature of that context and its implications for conceptions and models of environmental policy making;
•	The dynamics of some specific environmental policy case studies;
•	Different policy mechanisms which are currently available for use in environmental policy making.

The subject will enable you:
•	To identify and critically examine key issues relating to government, science, technology and environmental policy;
•	To identify the processes and structures which create and mediate environmental policy;
•	To apply the theoretical perspectives discussed to particular case studies;
•	To gain greater skills in communication, argument, documentation, presentation, research and participation.

Classes
Mondays, 2.30-5.30pm, room 19.2082
Classes will include discussions, guest lecturers, student-designed activities and other activities to be decided.

Weeks 2 and 3: each student briefly reports on one case study (such as international agreements, salinity, environmental impact assessment, media reporting, resource ownership, environmental activism and NGOs, environmental and resource policy development, environment and free trade, pollution policy, environmental philosophy, technology and environment) and/or one social theory not specifically in the environmental area (for examples see under “Report” below).
Later weeks: to be arranged.

Assessment
Participation and short papers, 20%
Class presentation/activity, 30%
Draft of report, 10%
Report, 40%

A passing mark normally will require attendance at 80% or more of class time, exempting classes for which a suitable certificate is provided. 

Short papers
You should write at least six short papers. Each one should treat either an issue discussed in class or otherwise relevant to the subject.
Length: 150-200 words each.
Due date: one by class time in week 3, another by week 5, etc.
Where: by hand to me in class or under the door to my office (19.2059) or in my mail box in room 19.1048. Alternatively, mail the paper to me by express post no later than 2.30 on the due date.
	Feedback will be provided on all papers. Assessment worth 5% will be based on each of the three best of six (or, if less than six are provided, the fourth, fifth and sixth least worst!).

Short papers will be assessed using these criteria
	• understanding of the topic 
	• insights about the topic drawn from personal experience, observations or theories
	• argument (starting from clearly articulated premises; mobilising evidence and logic towards a conclusion; recognising assumptions made and limitations) 
	• quality of expression (organisation of material, clarity, grammar, spelling, etc.)

Class presentation/activity
Students can work individually or in a group to run a class on an agreed topic. Normally the topic will cover both a case study and a theory. The class can be run as a presentation, debate, game, quiz, small group exercises or any other activity that helps others to learn. Presenters do not have to stand and talk, but are welcome to use one or more activities. Consider using overheads, handouts, tapes and videos. You should include some method to evaluate how well the class has understood what you are trying to get across. 
	You are welcome to work in a group on presentation/activity. Each student will have at least 30 minutes for their component (though using all this time is not required). A group of two students will have at least 60 minutes, etc.

Class presentations/activities will be assessed using these criteria
	• knowledge of subject matter
	• audience involvement
	• aids (handouts, overheads, posters, videos, etc.)
	• design (fitting together of activities—role plays, debates, quizzes … whatever—with subject matter, to make an effective learning experience)
	• method of evaluating how well the class has understood your message.

Report 
Pick a topic in the general field of resource and environmental policy, with my agreement. Gather information about the topic through several different sources, such as books, articles, newspapers, internet, TV, interviews, surveys, observations and personal participation. 
	Choose a theory from outside the field of environment and policy, such as neoclassical economics, political economy, representative democracy, participatory democracy, bureaucracy, feminism, marxism, fascism, Buddhism, social movement theory, semiotics, attribution theory.
	Write a report about your investigation, telling about the topic, about the theory, about what insights the theory provides about the topic and what insights it doesn’t provide. Tell how different sources of information were or were not useful.
	You are welcome to work in a group in collecting and analysing information for the report. You can write either an individual report or a group report (for up to three students), with the restriction that no more than half your total assessment is based on group work.
	You should submit a full-length draft. I will give detailed comments on cassette tape. You then make revisions. The final revised essay will be marked by someone else.
Length: 3000 words.
Due date for draft: 2.30pm Monday 27 May
Due date for final version: noon Wednesday 12 June
Where: under the door to my office (19.2059) or in my mail box in room 19.1048. Alternatively, mail the report to me by express post no later than noon of the due date.

Report drafts, received on time and if full length, will receive the same mark as the essay.

Paper will be assessed using these criteria
	• understanding of the case study
	• use of sources of information
	• understanding of the theory
	• application of the theory to the case study
	• argument (starting from clearly articulated premises; mobilising evidence and logic towards a conclusion; recognising assumptions made and limitations) 
	• quality of expression (organisation of material, clarity, grammar, spelling, etc.)

Oral examinations I reserve the option to request any student to undergo an additional oral examination on any work that they have performed. The STS Program Handbook should be considered a supplement to these subject notes. Consult the handbook for policy on late submission, plagiarism, etc. Staff are committed to the use of nonsexist and nonracist language in all work submitted for assessment.