Courses

11.601 Fall 2011
Introduction to Environmental Policy and Regulation

This is the required introductory course for all graduate students pursuing an environmental policy and planning specialization in the MCP Program. It is also open all DUSP/TPP students interested in environmental policy-making, the techniques of environmental planning and “the environmental policy debate.”

The course consists of four parts: Environmental Policy-making and Regulation; Environmental Policy Debates, The Techniques of Environmental Planning, and Environmental Decision-making In Practice. The first part of the course explores a wide-range of federal environmental regulatory initiatives in the United States. The second revolves around debate-style presentations in which student teams test contrary arguments drawing on the relevant philosophical literature. The third provides an overview of cost-benefit analysis, environmental impact assessment, and environmental modeling techniques. The fourth part of the course introduces students to consensus building and dispute resolution techniques as they are used in the practice of environmental planning.

Instructor: Lawrence Susskind

11.373 Fall 2011
Science, Politics and Environmental Policy

This course examines the role of science in the US environmental policymaking process. Part I examines the methods by which scientists learn about the natural world; the treatment of science by ex- perts, advocates, the media, and the public; and the way science is used in legislative, adminis- trative and judicial decision making. Part II takes up novel approaches to integrating science into politics, such as ecosystem-based management, stakeholder collaboration, local knowledge, adaptive management, and the precautionary principle. Case studies help students compare theory and practice.

Instructor: Judith Layzer

11.534 Fall 2011
Simulating Sustainable Futures

Working with a local client, this class applies alternative futures planning to a case study area which has both high quality environmental or cultural resources and significant growth pressure. Students use GIS to create spatial indicators of various aspects of sustainability such as biodiversity, social justice, water quality or energy consumption. These indicators are then used first to construct and then to evaluate a set of regional policy and physical design alternatives.

Instructor: Michael Flaxman

11.255 Spring 2012
Negotiation and Dispute Resolution in the Public Sector

Investigates social conflict and distributional disputes in the public sector. While theoretical aspects of conflict and consensus building are considered, focus is on the practice of negotiation and dispute resolution. Comparisons between unassisted and assisted negotiation are reviewed along with the techniques of facilitation and mediation.

Instructor: Lawrence Susskind

ESD.864/12.844 Spring 2012
Systems Modeling and Assessment for Policy

This course explores how scientific information can be used to inform policy decision‐making processes through the use of quantitative modeling techniques. Incorporates both hands‐on analysis and practice using models as well as evaluation of the use and effectiveness of models in decision‐making. Assesses the full spectrum of model complexity from simple box model calculations to complex, global systems models. Issues addressed include scientific assessment processes; integrated assessment modeling; model frameworks; and scenarios. Examples focus on models and information used for earth system governance, with selected examples from other areas of application.

Instructor: Noelle Selin