LAW40120 Foundations of Environmental Law

Academic Year 2023/2024

This module comprises a practical, in-depth examination of the foundations of environmental law, with a focus on European and international perspectives. It traces the development of EU and international environmental law to date and analyzes the legal principles applied to environmental protection.

The module, which is fully online, will have a strong emphasis on environmental law in practice, and will be assessed by way of an essay (70%) and presentation (30%).

Note that this module will not deal in an in-depth manner with climate change law and policy, which is covered by a separate graduate module in Spring (LAW41090 Climate Change Law & Policy).

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, diligent students should:
1. Have a good overview of the principles, techniques and regulatory framework of environmental law at national, European and international levels;
2. Have an in-depth knowledge of current challenges in environmental law and be able to engage in a high level of debate on these challenges;
3. Be able to critically assess potential ways in which environmental law might be changed to improve environmental protection;
4. Have a good understanding of environmental law in practice.

Indicative Module Content:

Due to the breadth of the environmental law field, a number of key substantive areas will be selected for particular focus. Topics vary from year to year but have previously included, for example:

- Who governs the environment? International and European institutions;
- Principles of environmental law;
- Techniques of governing the environment;
- Enforcing environmental law at international and EU levels;
- Human rights and the environment;
- Sustainable development.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

24

Autonomous Student Learning

275

Total

299

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures/seminars; critical writing; student presentations. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: 3000 word essay Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

70

Presentation: Presentation in week 11 or 12 Week 12 n/a Graded No

30


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Group/class feedback in class regarding presentations. Class feedback in writing regarding final essays.

Name Role
Dr Andrew Jackson Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Suzanne Kingston Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
     
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Fri 09:00 - 10:50