Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2025 - POL 448 D100

Selected Topics in International Relations (4)

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE AND SUS DEV

Class Number: 2285

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Thu, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Aug 14, 2025
    Thu, 11:59–11:59 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Eight upper division units in political science or permission of the department.

Description

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected Topic: Global Environmental Governance & Sustainable Development

COURSE DETAILS:

This course examines the laws, regulations institutions, and processes created to promote environmental conservation and achieve ‘sustainable development’ at the global and regional levels. Global governance of the ‘environment’ and ‘sustainable development’ encompasses a wide range of global and regional policies, laws, institutions, and regulations, governmental and non-governmental, created in the effort to govern the impact of ‘divers’ of change on the earth’s complex social-ecological systems. The course focuses on identifying key challenges to effective governance and assessing the prospects for sustainable solutions.  In the contemporary period, many of these challenges have assumed a Global North-South dimension and arise from disagreements over key organizing principles, over substantive values, and goals, and over property rights and the distribution of costs and benefits; issues further complicated by ethical questions pertaining to environmental justice.

The course is divided into two parts. Part one discusses different perspectives on the ‘environment’ and ‘sustainable development’, assesses their implications for governance, and outlines the evolution of legal, institutional, policy-based, and rights-based approaches to international environmental governance. We also discuss the ethics of sustainability focusing on the promotion of equity, justice, anti-racism, and decolonization in the pedagogy and governance of environmental issues and problems. Part two examines several contemporary issues including governance of ozone depletion, climate change, biodiversity, fresh water, food & agricultural systems, population/migration, and hazardous waste.  

COURSE ORGANIZATION: One seminar per week.   

Grading

  • Participation 10%
  • Presentation 20%
  • Research Essay 35%
  • Final Take-Home Exam 35%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All required readings are available on Canvas.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.