LAW40120 Environmental Law and Policy

Academic Year 2021/2022

Environmental law forms a fundamental part of how our society interacts with its surroundings. This course comprises a practical, in-depth examination of environmental law, with a focus on European and international perspectives. It will trace the development of EU and international environmental law to date and will analyze the legal principles applied to environmental protection.

This module 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).

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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;
- The law of nature conservation in Europe;
- 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 submitted at end of semester Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

60
Presentation: Presentation Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

30
Attendance: Participation in class during presentations Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

10

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 group presentations. Class feedback in writing regarding final essays.

Name Role
Dr Andrew Jackson Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Suzanne Kingston Lecturer / Co-Lecturer