Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
16609:IR18‐EE222 Global Environmental Issues (RB) § 16610:IR-EBS204 Global Environmental Issues (RB) § 16611:RUIR-2513 Global Environmental Issues(RB) 2024 Fall Fri3 College　Of　International　Relations AMEKAWA YUICHIRO 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

KOSHINKAN　KS207

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

This course aims to provide students with foundational scientific knowledge and an understanding of global environmental issues, as well as the ability to critically and logically assess these issues. To achieve this, we will explore three key processes in global policy development: identifying problems, designing and negotiating solutions, and implementing and revising policies to influence behavior and achieve desired environmental outcomes. Through case studies, we will deepen our understanding of these processes and tackle questions such as: Why do certain countries and agencies approach problems differently? What types of rules are most effective? How can we assess the success of a treaty? To address these questions, we will analyze key concepts, mechanisms, actors, regimes, rules, and actions involved, as well as the underlying science, in each selected case study.

Student Attainment Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able:
• to demonstrate their knowledge of scientific facts related to global environmental issues;
• to demonstrate their knowledge of major political discourses and events related to global environmental issues;
• to critically assess the effectiveness of a global environmental regime; and
• to work collaboratively with peer students on research and presentation on an issue related to global environmental issues.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) Theme
Keyword, References and Supplementary Information
Week 1 (on-demand video)

Course Introduction (on-demand video)

Global commons, tragedy of the commons, realist perspectives, neo-liberalist perspectives

Week 2

Selected Themes for Group Project

Energy insecurity, toxic chemicals, overfishing, whaling, genetically modified food, migratory species, environmental security, sustainable capitalism

Week 3

International Institutions

International institutions, international law, international regime, realism, liberalism, Prisoner’s Dilemma, Battles of the Sexes

Week 4

Key Actors Involved in Global Environmental Issues

Nation-state, sub-national actors, international organizations, non-governmental organizations

Week 5

Global Environment and Sustainable Development

United Nations Sustainable Development Conferences, Brundtland Report, Millennium Development Goals, Sustainable Development Goals

Week 6

Formation and Development of Global Environmental Regimes

Five stages in the development of global environmental regimes, regime strengthening, international environmental agreements, stratospheric ozone depletion

Week 7

Compliance and Effectiveness in Global Environmental Regimes

Relationship of compliance and effectiveness, strategies of regulation, non-compliance, violation, and failure to change behavior

Week 8

Global Climate Change

Global warming, climate change politics, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement

Week 9

Deforestation and Desertification

Carbon sequestration, International Agreements on Forest, UN Convention to Combat Desertification, land-degradation neutrality

Week 10

Biodiversity Loss

Biodiversity loss, engendered species, Convention on Biological Diversity, Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, Nagoya Protocol

Week 11

Individual presentations I

Week 12

Individual presentations II

Week 13

Individual presentations III

Week 14

Individual presentations IV / in-class consultation for project paper

Generic Issues (environmental security / sustainable capitalism)

Week 15 (on-demand video)

Water (on-demand video)

transboundary cooperation, Mekong River, fish biodiversity

Class Format

Classes will be held face-to-face except for the 1st and 15th classes when on-demand lecture videos are provided.

Recommendations for Private Study

Students are expected to complete all compulsory readings prior to each class. Lectures will not merely summarize the readings but will use them as a basis for further discussions. The quizzes during the semester will check your understanding of the readings and lectures. Thus, you will not be able to do away with the readings.
         

Grade Evaluation Method

Kind Percentage Grading Criteria etc.
Final Examination (Written)

Report Examination
(A report to be submitted by the unified deadline)

Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment　
(Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class)		 100

Participation: 30%
Quizzes: 20%
Group presentation: 20%
Final report: 30%

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Rubric forms are referred to in the evaluation of group presentation and final paper.

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Cautional note on AI use:
This course does not prohibit the use of generative AI, but plagiarism is strictly prohibited. Generative AI plagiarism is detected using multiple software tools. When plagiarism is identified, the student is required to correct the detected passage. Failure to make corrections may result in an F grade. Even with the correction, the student's marks/grade will be lowered. In the event that there is a need to demonstrate that AI detection occurred due to grammar checking rather than plagiarism, you must retain and present all input and output data stored in the AI tool. It is also advisable to store the original Word text. If you fail to demonstrate with evidence, you will be considered to have plagiarized.

Textbooks

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

Reference Books

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

Web Pages for Reference

How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)

Communication Paper,Learning Management System （manaba+R）,Talk with Students,Other (Separate instructions will be provided)

Other Comments

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URL:http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp//students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html