All MCP students must take four required courses: 11.201 Gateway: Planning Action, 11.203 Microeconomics, 11.220 Quantitative Reasoning, and 11.913 Data Management and Spatial Analysis.
In addition, all EPP students who want to specialize in environmental policy are required to complete: 11.601 Introduction to Environmental Policy and Regulation as a prerequisite to other subjects offered in EPP.
11.601 Introduction to Environmental Policy and Regulation (Fall)
First subject in the Environmental Policy and Planning sequence. Reviews philosophical debates including growth vs. deep ecology, “command-and-control” vs. market-oriented approaches to regulation, and the importance of expertise vs. indigenous knowledge. Emphasis on environmental planning techniques and strategies. Related topics include the management of sustainability, the politics of ecosystem management, environmental governance and the changing role of civil society, ecological econimcs, integrated assessment (combining EIA and risk assessment), joint fact finding in science-intensive policy disputes, environmental justice in poor communities of color, and environmental dispute resolution.
(Lawrence Susskind )
These courses focus on policy-making and implementation efforts at the local, state, and national levels in the United States and/or in other countries. Particular emphasis is given to the changing role of regulatory agencies, non-governmental actors, social movements, and public entrepreneurship networks as well as to the themes of environmental justice, smart growth, civic environmentalism, and dispute resolution..
11.368 Environmental Justice (Spring)
This course explores the foundations of the environmental justice movement,
current and emerging issues, and the application of EJ analysis to environmental
policy and planning. During the semester, we examine the claims made by
diverse groups and the policy and civil society responses that have been
used to address
perceived inequity and injustice. While much of the course will focus
on the United States context, international issues and perspectives also
are considered.
(JoAnn Carmin
| DUSP
subject listing | MIT
subject listing )
11.630J Environmental Law, Policy, and Economics: Pollution
Prevention & Control (Fall)
Reviews and analyzes Federal and state regulation of air and water pollution
and hazardous wastes. Analyzes pollution as an economic problem and the
failure of markets. Emphasizes use of legal mechanisms, as well
as alternative approaches such as economic incentives and voluntary approaches
to control pollution and to encourage chemical accident and pollution
prevention. Focuses on the major Federal legislation, the underlying administrative
system, and the common law in analyzing environmental policy, economic
consequences, and the role of the courts. Discusses classic pollutants
and toxic industrial
chemicals, community right-to-know, and environmental justice. Also provides
an introduction to basic legal skills.
(Nicholas
Ashford, C.C. Caldart | DUSP
subject listing | MIT
subject listing )
11.631J Regulation of Chemicals, Radiation, and Biotechnology
(Spring)
Focuses on policy design and evaluation in the regulation of hazardous
substances and processes. Includes risk assessment, industrial chemicals,
pesticides, food contaminants, pharmaceuticals, radiation and radioactive
wastes, product safety, workplace hazards, indoor air pollution, biotechnology,
victims’ compensation, and administrative law. Health and economic
consequences of regulation, as well as its potential to spur technological
change, are discussed. The course materials will include photocopied materials,
and a textbook Technology, Law and the Working Environment and is available
at the MIT COOP at Kendall Square
(Nicholas
Ashford, C.C. Caldart | DUSP subject listing | MIT
subject listing )
These courses focus on multilateral policy-making and efforts to manage common pool resources on a multinational basis. Treaty-making dynamics, multi-stake holder dialogue, the mobilization of civil society and strategies for resolving North-South conflict receive special attention.
11.364 International Environmental Negotiation (Fall)
This seminar looks at problems of managing common resources, difficulties of achieving transboundary pollution control, and the dilemmas of regional harmonization of environmental protection standards. At the core of these problems are issues of how best to structure international negotiations. Focuses especially on problems of representation voting, linkage, and enforcement.
(Lawrence
Susskind | MIT
subject listing)
11.368 Environmental Justice
(Fall)
Explores the foundations of the environmental justice movement, current and emerging issues, and the application of environmental justice analysis to environmental policy and planning. Examines claims made by diverse groups along with the policy and civil society responses that address perceived inequity and injustice. International issues and perspectives also considered.
(JoAnn Carmin | DUSP subject listing
| MIT
subject listing)
15.023J Global Climate Change: Economics, Science, and Policy (Spring)
Introduces scientific, economic, and ecological issues underlying the threat of global climate change, and the institutions engaged in negotiating an international response. Develops an integrated approach to analysis of climate change processes, and assessment of proposed policy measures, drawing on research and model development within the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change.
(Henry Jacoby and Ronald Prinn | MIT
subject listing)
ILO L223 Seminar on International Environmental Law (The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University) (Fall) (David Wirth)
ENR-319 Advanced Environmental and Resource Economics for International Development (Kennedy School of Government) (Spring)
(Theodore Panayotou)
These courses focus on managing natural resources, particularly at an ecosystem scale, including past, present and future efforts to manage water resources, forests, fisheries, and endangered habitats. The focus is on institutional dynamics, new regulatory strategies (like community forestry and collaborative resource management) and the dynamics of joint
fact finding.
11.374 The Politics of Ecosystem Management (Spring)
Investigates efforts to conserve or restore the health of ecosystems,
including management of a forest, watershed, or other type of ecosystem.
Traces the evolution of the ecosystem-based approach and ways it has been
implemented during the past two decades. Examines the conditions under
which ecosystem-based management provides genuine enviornmental protection.
(Judith
Layzer
| DUSP subject listing | MIT
subject listing )
11.375 Role of Science and Scientists on Collaborative Approaches to Environmental Policymaking (Spring)
(Herman
Karl | DUSP subject listing | MIT
subject listing)
NUTR241A-01 Agricultural Science and Policy I (Fall)
(Tufts School of Nutrition, Science, & Policy)
(Kathleen Merrigan, William Lockeretz)
ENR-100 Environmental & Resource Science for Policy (Fall)
(Harvard Kennedy School of Government)
(John Holdren)
These courses focus on efforts to implement more sustainable development strategies from the neighborhood to the global scale. Emphasis is on defining sustainability in politically meaningful ways and operationalizing commitments to sustainability while tending to overriding concerns about poverty.
11.366 Planning for Sustainable Development (Fall)
This course examines the political economy of development planning and implementation, with a focus on developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. We will examine the recent evolution of development advocacy, theory and practice, focusing on three questions: 1)to what extent has the growth in public participation led to the integration of environmental and social goals and inter-generational perspectives in development planning and implementation? 2) to what extent has participation contributed to better economic, social and environmental outcomes? 3) what can be done to improve public participation processes, given the substantial political, institutional and resource constraints that remain?
( David Fairman | DUSP subject listing | MIT
subject listing )
11.941 Developing Energy/Environmental Policies for a Sustainable Future
This course provides an exposure to a wide range of current energy and energy-related environmental policies that foster the development and mass deployment of sustainable energy technologies, fuels, and practices. The primary focus is on US based policies at the state, regional and federal level that impact the electricity, transportation and buildings and facilities sectors. The course is grounded in a series of detailed case studies that explore substantive policy and program design issues as well as the political processes (often involving innovative consensus seeking techniques) used to develop them. In addition to readings from a wide variety of sources, the course will include numerous guest appearances from nationally recognized policy makers, practitioners, and academics.
( Jonathan Raab | DUSP subject listing)
15.657J Sustainability, Trade, and the Environment (Fall)
Weekly lectures, class discussion, four short writing assignments, no examinations. In addition to technological innovation, the globalization of trade is increasingly seen as the driving force of industrial economies. The establishment of the World Trade Organization, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and other trading regimes raises serious questions concerning their effects on sustainability, which must be viewed broadly to include not only a healthy economic base, but also a sound environment, stable employment, adequate purchasing power, distributional equity, national self-reliance, and maintenance of cultural integrity. This seminar explores the many dimensions of sustainability and the use of national, multinational and international political and legal mechanisms to further sustainable development. Mechanisms for resolving the apparent conflicts between development, environment, and employment will be explored.
(Nicholas
Ashford | MIT
subject listing )
1.964 Design for Sustainability (Fall)
The course considers the growing popularity of sustainability and its implications for the practice of engineering, particularly for the built environment. Two particular methodologies are featured: life cycle assessment (LCA) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The fundamentals of each approach will be presented. Specific topics covered include water and wastewater management, energy use, material selectionn, and construction.
(J.J. Connor, E.E. Adams)
These courses focus on the role of science and scientists in the formulation and implementation of domestic and international environmental policy. Special attention is given to the emerging field of industrial ecology and the role of public health considerations in environmental management at the local, national and international levels..
11.373 Science, Politics and Environmental Policy (Fall)
Examines the role of science in the US environmental policy making process. Investigates the methods by which scientists learn about the natural world; the treatment of science by experts, advocates, the media, and the public; and the way science is used in legislative, administrative and judicial decision making. Concludes by taking up novel approaches to integrating science into politics, such as employing stakeholder collaboration, local knowledge, adaptive management, and the precautionary principle.
(Judith Layzer
| DUSP
subject listing | MIT
subject listing )
1.725J Chemicals in the Environment: Fate and Transport (Fall)
For Institute students in all departments interested in the behavior of chemicals in the environment (see ESD listings for other subjects). Emphasis on man-made chemicals, their movement through water, air, soil, and their eventual fate. Physical transport, as well as chemical and biological sources and sinks, are discussed. Linkages to health effects, sources and control, and policy aspects. Core requirement for Environmental MEng program.
(Peter Shanahan| MIT
subject listing )
1.812J Regulation of Chemicals, Radiation, and Biotechnology
(Spring)
Focuses on policy design and evaluation in the regulation of hazardous substances and processes. Includes risk assessment, industrial chemicals, pesticides, food contaminants, pharmaceuticals, radiation and radioactive wastes, product safety, workplace hazards, indoor air pollution, biotechnology, victims’ compensation, and administrative law. Health and economic consequences of regulation, as well as its potential to spur technological change, are discussed. The course materials will include photocopied materials, and a textbook Technology, Law and the Working Environment and is available at the MIT COOP at Kendall Square.
(Nicholas
Ashford, Charles Caldart | MIT
subject listing )
1.814J Industrial Ecology (Spring)
Quantitative techniques for life cycle analysis of the impacts of materials extraction, processing use, and recycling; and economic analysis of materials processing, products, and markets. Student teams undertake a major case study of automobile manufacturing using the latest methods of analysis and computer-based models of materials process.
(Joel Clark, Frank Field | MIT
subject listing )
EH278 (HSPH)
Human Health & Global Environmental Change (Spring)
(Paul Epstein, Eric Chivan, Daniel Goodenough, Howard Hu)
STP291 (KSG)
Science, Power, and Politics (Spring, Fall)
(Sheila Jasanoff)
These courses focus on the use of cost-benefit analysis, ecological economic analysis, life-cycle analysis, environmental impact assessment, integrated assessment, risk assessment and risk management, and other analytical methods, as well as communicative methods (such as public participation, dispute resolution and consensus building) currently in use in environmental policy-making contexts and ways of making them more useful in practice.
11.255 Negotiation and Dispute Resolution in the Public Sector (Spring)
This course investigates social conflict and distributional disputes in the public sector. While theoretical aspects of conflict are considered, the focus is on the practice of consensus building and dispute resolution. Comparisions between unassisted and mediated negotiation are reviewed along with the techniques of facilitation.
(Lawrence
Susskind | DUSP subject listing | MIT
subject listing )
11.360 Community Growth and Land Use Planning (Fall)
This class includes a chronological reading list for the topics covered
in the calendar, and a set of final projects done in partnership with
the town of Needham, MA. This subject explores the techniques, processes,
and personal and professional skills required to effectively manage growth
and land use change. While primarily focused on the planning practice
in the United States, the principles and techniques reviewed and presented
may have international application. This course is not for bystanders;
it is designed for those who wish
to become actively involved or exposed to the planning discipline and
profession as it is practiced today, and as it may need to be practiced
in the future.
(Terry
Szold | DUSP
subject listing | MIT
subject listing )
1.155 Engineering, Risk-Benefit Analysis (Spring)
Emphasis on three methodologies pertaining to decision making in the presence of uncertainty: reliability and probabilistic risk assessment (RPRA), decision analysis (DA), and cost-benefit analysis (CBA). Risks of particular interest are those associated with large engineering projects such as the development of new products; the building, maintenance and operation of nuclear reactors and space systems. Presents and interprets some of the frameworks helpful for balancing risks and benefits in the situations that typically involve human safety, potential environmental effects, and large financial and technological uncertainties. Review of elementary probability theory and statistics included.
(George Apostolakis | MIT
subject listing )
EH285 (HSPH)
Industrial Ecology & Life Cycle Assessment (Fall)
(Gregory Norris, John Spengler)
BIO200 (HSPH)Principles of
Biostatistics (Fall)
(Dr. D. Wypij)
ENR-551Y (KSG)
Economics and Policy (Spring)
(Robert Stavins, Martin Weitzman)
|