Environ/Conflict Resolution

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

Environmental conflict occurs at all levels of society, from local or regional disagreements about watershed management to national debates about managing nuclear waste to international disputes about how to address climate change. Understanding the sources of environmental conflict and adopting effective resolution techniques are critical to achieving an appropriate balance between the natural world and humanity in the 21st century. This course offers students the opportunity to explore the multifaceted relationship between the environment and social conflict from both theoretical and practical perspectives, with an emphasis on the scholarly literature and real-world cases. Topics we will cover include transboundary water conflict, climate change, environment and war, environment and peace, and international environmental negotiations. Approximately half of the course will be devoted to contemporary environmental conflict resolution (ECR) practice, including situation assessments, public involvement, negotiation, and environmental mediation, and how ECR practitioners assist stakeholders in navigating challenges posed by organizational dynamics, the policy setting, and scientific and technical complexity.