Module Information
Module Identifier
LA37720
Module Title
LAW OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Academic Year
2012/2013
Co-ordinator
Semester
Intended for use in future years
Mutually Exclusive
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 30 Hours. 1 x 2 hour lecture per week and 2 x 1 hour lectures per week. |
| Lecture | |
| Seminars / Tutorials | 6 Hours. 3 x 2 hour seminars. |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Essay of 1500 words required in week 11 | 33% |
| Semester Exam | 1.5 Hours Exam Candidates are not permitted to bring any books, notes or any other materials into the examination. | 67% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Essay of 1500 words - if essay element failed | 33% |
| Supplementary Exam | 1.5 Hours Exam - if exam element failed. Candidates are not permitted to bring any books, notes or any other materials into the examination. | 67% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in seminars and the carrying out of written coursework, students should have developed:
- A knowledge and understanding of, and the interrelationship between, the system of environmental law and policy at the international, EU and domestic level; uncover and explore the issues of law, the environment, economics and social policy which are inherent in the question of environmental protection; and develop her/his own critical analysis of the existing system in relation to alternative models of environmental protection.
- Good time-management skills in preparing for seminars and submitting work on time.
- The ability to find, read and evaluate relevant hard-copy and electronic sources for seminars, course works and exams, for which credit will be given in the assessments.
- Ability to work in groups and oral presentation skills: some of the seminars will run as workshops in which students work in small groups and organise a short presentation.
Brief description
Environmental law and policy forms a point of convergence for the forces produced by environmentalism, economics and the imperatives of justice and fairness amongst others. As well as involving profound issues confronting humanity it also forms an important area of specialism for legal practitioners.
Each part of the course seeks to facilitate the student not just in learning the law but also in uncovering and critically analysing the concepts, principles and policies informing and moving the law in this area.
Environmental law & policy at the domestic level is hugely influenced by European Community and International law, and, attention is therefore paid to the role of these.
Environmental Law tends to be in a state of rapid flux, so emphasis is placed not only on the law as it stands, but also on policy and legislative trends so that students can see the direction in which the subject is moving. The course helps to give students some insight into the importance of economic, social and political pressures in law-making.
Each part of the course seeks to facilitate the student not just in learning the law but also in uncovering and critically analysing the concepts, principles and policies informing and moving the law in this area.
Environmental law & policy at the domestic level is hugely influenced by European Community and International law, and, attention is therefore paid to the role of these.
Environmental Law tends to be in a state of rapid flux, so emphasis is placed not only on the law as it stands, but also on policy and legislative trends so that students can see the direction in which the subject is moving. The course helps to give students some insight into the importance of economic, social and political pressures in law-making.
Aims
This module aims to explore international environmental law and policy, and UK environmental protection law, together with certain aspects of EC environmental law. It contributes to the development of lawyers equipped to give practical and effective advice in this area. In seeking to assist students to develop their own analysis of the environmental, economic, social and other issues underlying this area of law, the module contributes to the preparation of students to proceed to carry out further social and/or legal research.
Content
Teaching
The course will be taught by lectures and seminars. It is intended that the lectures will introduce the student to the essential elements of the subject and provide some critical analysis upon which the student can build her or his reading in preparation for the seminars.
Seminars will provide the opportunity for a more detailed examination of important topics. Students will be expected to participate in a reasoned discussion. The seminars are seen as essential to the promotion of skills in information gathering, selection and retention, and to giving students an opportunity to present structured, persuasive and logical arguments. Students are also expected to provide solutions to legal problems.
Syllabus
1.0: International Law and the Environment
2.0 Environmental Principles and Compliance Mechanisms
3.0 Pollution Control
4.0 Nature Conservation Law
The course will be taught by lectures and seminars. It is intended that the lectures will introduce the student to the essential elements of the subject and provide some critical analysis upon which the student can build her or his reading in preparation for the seminars.
Seminars will provide the opportunity for a more detailed examination of important topics. Students will be expected to participate in a reasoned discussion. The seminars are seen as essential to the promotion of skills in information gathering, selection and retention, and to giving students an opportunity to present structured, persuasive and logical arguments. Students are also expected to provide solutions to legal problems.
Syllabus
1.0: International Law and the Environment
2.0 Environmental Principles and Compliance Mechanisms
3.0 Pollution Control
4.0 Nature Conservation Law
Reading List
Recommended TextBell & McGillivray (2008) Environmental Law 7th ed. Oxford University Press Primo search Birnie, Patricia W. (2009) International Law and the Environment. 3rd ed. Oxford University Press Primo search Wolf, Susan (2003) Wolf and Stanley on Environmental Law 4th ed. Cavendish Primo search Supplementary Text
Sands, Philippe (2003) Principles of International Environmental Law 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press Primo search Thornton, Justine & Beckwith, Silas (2004) Environmental Law 2nd ed. Sweet & Maxwell Primo search Recommended Consultation
Hawkins, Keith (1984) Environment and Enforcement:Regulation and the Social Definition of Pollution Further Reading Oxford University Press Primo search Holder, Jane & Lee, Maria (2007) Environmental Protection, Law and Policy: Text and Materials http://www.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy0803/2007278078-b.html Further Reading 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press Jedrzej George Frynas and Scott Pegg (2003) Transnational Corporations and Human Rights Further Reading Palgrave Macmillan Primo search Marjan Peeters and Kurt Deketelaere (2006) EU Climate Change Policy: The Challenge of New Regulatory Initiatives Further Reading Edward Elgar Primo search Reid, Colin T. (2009) Nature Conservation Law Further Reading 3rd ed. Sweet & Maxwell Primo search Richardson, Geneura. (1982) Policing Pollution: A Study of Regulation and Enforcement Further Reading Clarendon Press Primo search Stephen Humphreys and Mary Robinson (2010) Human Rights and Climate Change /edited by Stephen Humphreys ; with a foreword by Mary Robinson. http://www.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy1009/2010217932-t.html Further Reading 1st ed. Cambridge University Press Stone, Christopher D. (2010) Should Trees Have Standing?: Law, Morality and the Environment Further Reading 3rd ed. Oxford University Press Primo search Ends Report Primo search Environmental Law Review Primo search Journal of Environmental Law Primo search Journal of Planning and Environmental Law Primo search Review of European Community & International Environmental Law Primo search
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6