Use the Tab and Up, Down arrow keys to select menu items.
This course focuses on the analysis and evaluation of comparative national policies for science, technology and engineering. Scientific innovation and investment are crucial to both economic and environmental sustainability, but the dynamics of policy-making in this domain often lead to public mistrust and conflict. Based on the case study method, this course will examine STEP with reference to issues such as: geo-engineering and climate change; energy policy; autonomous machines and the robotic revolution; and advanced biotechnologies for human health and the environment.
Course Aims Scientific innovation and investment are crucial to both economic and environmental sustainability, but the dynamics of policy-making in this domain often lead to public mistrust and conflict. Integrating seminar readings with the case study method, this course will thus examine science, technology and environmental policy (STEP) with reference to issues such as: geo-engineering and climate change; energy policy; autonomous machines and the robotic revolution; and advanced biotechnologies for human health and the environment. Students will also be encouraged to research cases of specific interest and to share insights with the group. As this is a public policy course, students from various disciplines are welcome. Major questions we will consider include: • How do science, technology, the environment and politics interact? • How does (scientific) “truth” interact with (political) “power?” • How do different sources of public authority and legitimacy – politics, expertise, the law, and the market – relate to one another in the context of S&T? • What conflicts exist among them? • How is political decision-making possible in light of scientific controversies and irreducible risks? • How do organizations at the interface between science and politics work? • What is the role of “the public” in S&T policy? • How do societies cope with unavoidable technological risk, failures, and disasters?
Upon successful completion of the course, students will:Research, plan, and present a professional public policy analysis, and demonstrate understanding of professional expectations and ethics in the field.Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the theory and practice of public policy analysis and of the ways in which science, technology and environmental policy pose particular challenges to democratic governance.Use a self-reflective approach to evaluate complex policy problems and to understand how personal values can underpin public policy positions.Understand how to ask relevant critical questions when approaching difficult debates and complex theories in science, technology and environmental policy.Understand and analyse complex real-world cases in science, technology and environmental policy analysis.Present their ideas and policy proposals confidently in a formal setting.Understand potential pathways into a career in public policy analysis at the local, national, or international level.
Subject to approval of the Head of Department
For further information see Language, Social and Political Sciences Head of Department
Two required (and one recommended) books:• Environmental Politics: A Very Short Introduction• The Future: A Very Short Introduction• Molecular Biology: A Very Short Introduction (recommended)Additional required readings are available by clicking on the appropriate link in the syllabus posted on Learn.
Domestic fee $1,775.00
International Postgraduate fees
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Language, Social and Political Sciences .