Module Identifier LAM5110  
Module Title INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE  
Academic Year 2007/2008  
Co-ordinator Mrs Marion I Arnold  
Semester Available all semesters  
Other staff Mrs Lillian Stevenson  

Brief description

The aim of this module is to provide a foundation in environmental science for those students who have not studied this subject before. It assumes a basic understanding of English Law. It is designed to take the mystery out of scientific jargon and to provide the student with sufficient insight to be able to question whether a given legal measure is likely to be able to achieve its environmental objective. The module examines the nature of science ? its philosophy, the meaning of scientific proof and the use of statistics. It also attempts to put environmental science in a social science setting and questions the importance of science in the formulation of environmental policy. It invites the student to consider the role of science in environmental management and to examine different approaches to scientific problems such as ecocentrism and technocentrism.

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Arms, Karen Environmental Science edition 2r.e. . Saunders Coll.Pub.,U.S. 0030985692
Chalmers, A.F. What is This Thing Called Science? edition 3r.e. . Open U.P. 0335201091
Freeman Science in Court Ashgate 1840140399
Jones, Carol A. G. Expert witnesses Clarendon Press 019825797X
Lunney Zoology in court Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales 095999517X
Milton Environmentalism Routledge 0415094755
O'Riordan, Timothy Interpreting the Precautionary Principle Cameron May 1874698457
Thomas, B.A. Evolution and palaeobiology of land plants Croom Helm 0709924763
Acid Rain in Europe Earthscan Publications 1853834432
Global Marine Biological Diversity Island P.,U.S. 1559632569
** Supplementary Text
Chalmers, A.F. What is This Thing Called Science? edition 3r.e. . Open U.P. 0335201091

Journals
** Recommended Text
Journal of Environmental Law http://voyager.aber.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&Search_Arg=Journal+of+Environmental+Law&SL=None&Search_Code=JALL&CNT=20
Marine Pollution Bulletin http://voyager.aber.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&Search_Arg=Marine+Pollution+Bulletin&SL=None&Search_Code=JALL&CNT=20
Medicine, science and the law http://voyager.aber.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&Search_Arg=medicine+science+and+the+law&SL=None&Search_Code=JALL&CNT=20

Web Page/Sites
Appendix G of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollutions 21st Report, setting Environmental S http://www.rcep.org.uk/studies/standards/s-chap9.html
Environmental law review http://voyager.aber.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&Search_Arg=environmental+law+review&SL=None&Search_Code=JALL&CNT=20
New Agriculturist On-Line http://www.new-agri.co.uk/99-1/debate.html
Press Release from the Home Office http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/pressreleases.asp
Press Releases from DETR http://www.gnn.gov.uk
RWMAC 1999 Advice to Ministers http://www.defra.gov.uk/rwmac/press/p990513.htm
** Supplementary Text
About EUR-Lex - the portal to European Union law http://www.inf.aber.ac.uk/academicliaison/guides/eurlexhelp.asp
Help Guide to Lexis/Nexis http://www.inf.aber.ac.uk/academicliaison/guides/lexishelp.asp
Help Guide to Westlaw http://www.inf.aber.ac.uk/academicliaison/guides/westlawhelp.asp
Introduction to Information Resources for Law Distance Learners http://www.inf.aber.ac.uk/academicliaison/lawdls.asp
Locating full-text European Union case law via Lexis, Westlaw & EUR-Lex http://www.inf.aber.ac.uk/academicliaison/guides/eurocase.asp
Subject Information & Links for Law http://www.inf.aber.ac.uk/subject/law/
UWA Electronic Journals http://www.aber.ac.uk/is/ejournals/
UWA Electronic Resources http://www.inf.aber.ac.uk/academicliaison/elecinfo.asp

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7