Policy and Legislation by NTUA / UB

Policy and Legislation
Start: February 2013
Duration: 15 weeks
Credits: 8 ECTS
Web-link: http://www.water-msc.org/en/wrem401.htm

AIMS
This module aims to provide an applicable knowledge of classical and contemporary problems in the water and environmental policy making for the practising engineer. It provides a basic knowledge of the main social processes and EU legislation. It offers gaining practical experience how to recognise stakeholder interests and how to involve stakeholders and publics in decision making process.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Subject Specific Knowledge, Understanding and Skills
By the end of this module, the students should:
have acquired an understanding of policymaking process and how to incorporate technical solution in social environment;
be able to take active participation in decision making process;
be able to estimate level of social support of particular solution;
have acquired a basic understanding of social processes and estimate social capital;
understand the role of legislation and public participation in decision making process;
be able to participate in multidisciplinary discussion.
2. Core Academic Skills
By the end of this module, the students should:
be able to identify, formulate and analyse a management problem in a given society;
be able to critically assess research results;
have acquired some practical experience of using Social impact Analysis SIA;
have acquired an understanding of the impact of solutions for civil engineering works in a global and societal context.
3. Personal and Key Skills
By the end of this module, the students should have:
improved further the necessary skills for independent learning;
enhanced report and presentation skills;
acquired an ability to function in multi- disciplinary teams.

SYLLABUS PLAN
Introduction to Environmental Legislation
Legitimization problems in water management and environment protection: Reflexivity and Complexity
Legitimization problems in water management and environment protection, Part II
Risk Society
Sustainability: the new developmental paradigm
Public opinion, participation, social capital
Social Impact Assessment (SIA)
Principles of Communicative Rationality
Common, institutional and personal interests in water policy
Waste water treatment infrastructure design and NIMBY syndrome