The Problem Orientation: ENVS 5720/PSCI 7026

Course Description

This course focuses on problem-solving frameworks for policy analysis. The sessions emphasize applications that develop and enhance our understanding of the various ways of understanding and knowing that shape how environmental ‘problems’ are defined. Also, we explore how these perspectives are shaped by trends, conditioning factors, and projections, to then mobilize a range of policy responses and recommendations. Note that this course is ‘Problem Orientation’ rather than ‘Solution Orientation’. This term, we will focus many session discussions on the prominent issue of climate change.

Critical engagement in session discussions with these topics and themes will help us to distinguish patterns, appraise and assess values, and gain insights from a variety of perspectives and viewpoints in various environmental issues.