The Fletcher School

A Graduate School of International Affairs

Education

Course Offerings

An Interdisciplinary Approach - We integrate emerging science, engineering, and business concepts with more traditional subjects such as economics, international law and policy, negotiation, diplomacy, resource management, and governance systems.

CIS 201: Water and Diplomacy: Integration of Science, Engineering, and Negotiations

It is often said that "water is the new oil." Indeed, water promises to be the resource that determines many countries' wealth, welfare, and stability in the 21st century. The nature of water as a resource is changing. Water resources are increasingly over-used, water quality is sub-optimal, and ecological integrity is excessively taxed. Such tensions are exacerbated at dynamic political, physical, cultural, and economic boundaries. A changing world requires a changing education. This interdisciplinary seminar — co-taught by faculty from Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and the Fletcher School of Diplomacy — is designed to encourage students to think across boundaries, emphasize knowledge integration, and link information to action. The goal is to combine multiple perspectives in order to explore solutions to water conflicts and the negotiations required to achieve those solutions. The seminar will emphasize collaborative learning opportunities, co-teaching of classes by students and faculty, and integrative activities that span disciplinary, physical, and political boundaries. Not offered 2009-2010. Shafiqul Islam, William Moomaw and Jay Shimshack

DHP P213m: Managing Complex Systems: From Dynamic Networks to Tipping Points

Efforts to improve the human condition without causing harm are oftentimes dependent on our understanding of the principles that underlie complex systems. Complex systems try to determine how the relationships between dynamic networks give rise to the collective behaviors of a social system and how the social system interacts and forms a relationship with its environment. This seminar introduces the added value of taking a systems approach to managing complexity and introduces two methods and software applications for systems analysis. It begins by exploring several case studies that relate to the three pillars of sustainability, i.e., economic growth, environmental protection and social development; the case studies will focus on business management, climate change and armed conflicts. This seminar equips students with the conceptual and analytical skills they need to study and manage complex systems across various disciplines. Not offered 2009-2010. Professor Moomaw and Patrick Meier

DHP P250: Elements of International Environmental Policy

This course is designed to provide an introduction to international environmental policy development beginning with the scientific identification of the problem, the assessment of its economic and social impact, and the political forces that shape international agreements. Following a short introduction to some of the basic scientific and economic factors that characterize most environmental problems, the course examines five case studies that illustrate the range of international problems facing diplomats and corporations. Bilateral, multilateral and commons issues are studied using examples of air, climate, water, fisheries, and forests/biological diversity. Fall semester. William Moomaw

DHP P251: International Environmental Negotiations

The unique nature of environmental problems has brought a new style to international negotiations, which relies much more heavily on scientific and other technical expertise. Because the scientific knowledge base is constantly evolving, far more flexible, process-oriented treaties are being negotiated to address environmental issues than has traditionally been the case in other areas. This seminar brings together a scientist and a negotiation specialist to examine with students the nature of the international environmental negotiation process and its evolution. Not offered 2009-2010. William Moomaw, Lawrence Susskind

DHP P253: Sustainable Development Diplomacy

The principle goal of the course is to acquaint students with a thorough understanding of sustainable Development Diplomacy (SDD) from both a governance and diplomacy viewpoint. By looking at foreign policy through a sustainability and development lens, students will learn of the complexity of the competing claims on natural resources and the role that global natural resources play in national and international security, business relations and trade policies. The governance and diplomacy lessons are drawn from a range of real-world natural resource policy responses, such as in the field of forests, water, food and climate change. Fall semester. William Moomaw, Hans Hoogeveen, and Patrick Verkooijen

DHP P254: Climate Change Policy

This course examines how governments can and might respond to the challenges and opportunities posed by the complex problem of global climate change. We begin with a study of the latest scientific understanding of the problem. Then, the technological options, the economic dimensions, the role of the private sector, and the domestic and international politics related to addressing climate change are explored. The policies of the major emitting countries are analyzed and compared. The international climate negotiations are analyzed. Policy tools are assessed against different criteria. The course will introduce and strengthen multidisciplinary policy analysis skills. Fall semester. Kelly Sims Gallagher

DHP P255: International Energy Policy

Energy affects every dimension of human society including basic living conditions, mobility, and economic prosperity. Energy is at the heart of some of the most intractable environmental problems, national security challenges, and economic development strategies. Energy is also central to addressing each of these challenges. This course maps how issues differ among countries, exploring basic differences between industrialized and developing countries. The policies of major energy consumers and producers are compared. International energy policy topics such as the geopolitics of oil and gas, energy markets, climate change, public health, and international energy-technology cooperation and competition are covered. Spring semester. Kelly Sims Gallagher

DHP P257: Corporate Management of Environmental Issues

This objective of this course is to examine environmental issues from the point of view of large corporations. Topics include: strategy and organization; staffing for environment; health and safety; accountability for environmental performance; ethics; corporate environmental policies; pollution prevention; management tools; accident response; companies and non-governmental organizations; response to laws and regulations; international issues; environmental accounting; corporate social responsibility; and voluntary codes of conduct. Note: This course is cross-listed as CEE/UEP 265. Fall semester. Ann Rappaport

DHP P258: Clean Energy Technologies and Policy

This course identifies the major environmental, security and economic issues associated with the continued use of traditional energy sources such as fossil fuels. It then explores alternative technologies that are capable of providing essential energy services in both developed and developing countries. Woven into the assessment of each technology is a determination of the present policies and factors that lock-in current technology and lock-out new alternatives. Types of regulatory, market, contractual and voluntary policies and practices are identified that can facilitate the introduction of new, clean energy technologies. The major emphasis is on electricity production, transportation and building energy conservation. Spring semester. William Moomaw and Maria Flyntzani-Stephanopolous

DHP H202: Maritime History

A study of world history over the past 500 years from a salt-water perspective. The course will examine the ocean as avenue, arena, source, and cultural metaphor, analyzing major themes such as the impact of changing technologies and modes of warfare, evolving patterns of trade, and differing cultural perceptions. The format will be lecture, with some discussion. Fall semester. John Curtis Perry

DHP H203: The International Relations of the China Seas

The region this course examines is now the world’s commercial maritime center. The course offers, within a global salt water perspective, the opportunity to explore strategic, environmental, economic, or cultural problems, depending on individual student interests. Course format is lecture and discussion, with two short written exercises and an oral report leading to a final paper of journal article length. Writing and speaking skills receive considerable attention. No prerequisites other than a lively curiosity. Fall semester. John Curtis Perry

EIB E246: Natural Resource and Environmental Economics

This course covers major issues in contemporary environmental economics. Includes analysis of environmental degradation and resource depletion, valuation of the environment, incentives to protect the environment, impacts of population growth and agricultural expansion, management of renewable and non-renewable resources, pollution analysis and policy; energy and global climate change; international trade and the environment; national and multinational environmental policies. Special attention will be paid to policies to respond to climate change, including carbon trading and “clean development” institutions. Open to students who have completed E201 or equivalent. Spring semester. Jonathan Harris

ILO L223: Seminar on International Environmental Law

This course addresses the nature, content and structure of international environmental law. The course commences with an introduction to international environmental problems, together with basic principles of international law and environmental regulation. Specific topics include global warming, stratospheric ozone depletion, and exports of hazardous substances. Other topics may include marine pollution, transboundary pollution, trade and environment, and development and environment. The course evaluates the role of international and non-governmental organizations; the interrelationship between international legal process and domestic law; and the negotiation, conclusion, and implementation of international environmental agreements. Fall semester. David Wirth