| Module Identifier |
RS34620 |
| Module Title |
EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES |
| Academic Year |
2001/2002 |
| Co-ordinator |
Mr Charles Falzon |
| Semester |
Semester 1 |
| Course delivery |
Lecture | 22 Hours 22 x 1 hour |
| |
Practicals / Field Days | 60 Hours 6-day residential field course |
| Assessment |
Supplementary examination | 2 Hours In accordance with IRS departmental policy | |
| |
Course work | | 50% |
| |
Exam | 2 Hours | 50% |
Brief description
The lecture course will consider the rationale, development and structure of the European Community and the Union, and the development of its environmental policies. The main fiscal and regulatory mechanisms are discussed in relation to selected environmental themes, as are the processes of creating environmental law, and some of the factors influencing its implementation. Key policy areas with an impact on the environment will be discussed, including agriculture, fisheries, nature conservation, rural development, external programmes and enlargement of the EU. The roles and influence of key institutions and governmental/non-governmental organisations are investigated. A number of these issues will be considered during a one-week field course within a European country.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Describe the structure, powers and functions of the European Community and the Union.
2. Identify and analyse the main European environmental policy areas.
3. Describe the link between such policy areas and their application at national and local levels.
4. Assess a range of environmentally-linked programmes and projects as applied in a selected member state.
Syllabus / Curriculum design
This module is constructed around a series of thematic lectures and discussion groups, supported by selected reading and handouts. These will in the first part provide a context by describing the emergence of the post-war EC and its evolution into the post-Maastricht EU. The structure and functions of the key institutions will also be discussed, as will the making and enforcement of law.
Within this framework a number of themes will be addressed, namely landscape and nature conservation, rural development, agriculture and fisheries policy.
The module will conclude by addressing challenges such as the State of the Environment reporting, the environmental impacts of external policy and the implications of EU enlargement.
As well as lectures and discussions, there will be a workshop to explore the range of information available on the EU and other related websites.
A key element of the module will be a study visit to a selected member state, which will aim to examine how some of the above themes are addressed at regional and local level in a partner EU nation. This will provide a useful 'real world' comparison to approaches in Wales. The study visit will take place during the summer vacation immediately prior to the commencement of the third year.
Reading Lists
Books
Gillies D. (1999)
A guide to EC environmental law. Earthscan
Anderson and Lieferink. (1997)
European environmental policy: the pioneers.
Bell and McGillivray. (2000)
Environmental Law. Blackstone
Holder J. (1997)
The impact of EC environmental law in the UK.
Web Page/Sites
http://www.europea.eu.int/index_en.htm.
Introduction to the EU.
http://www.csfinfo.com/.
Structural Funding.
http://www.wefo.wales.gov.uk/frameset.htm.
Structural Funding.
http://interreg.ie/.
Interreg.
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/life/whats/htm.
LIFE.
http://www.rural-europe.aeidl.be/rural-en/index.
Rural/Regional affairs.
http://www.europa.eu.int/abc/history/idex_en.htm.
Institutions/background.
http://www.curia.eu.int/en/pres.co.htm.
European Court of Justice.
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/environment/nature/bird-dir.htm.
Birds Directive.
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/environment/habidir.htm.
Habitats Directive.