Module LAW3200 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
LAW3200: Environmental Law
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
The main aim of the module is to introduce you to some of the key theories, concepts and issues in environmental law and policy, as well as support you in generating new research and ideas in this field. It will therefore offer an overview of basic environmental law principles by considering national and European legal responses to managing global commons, the history of the development of environmental law, and the values and principles that have shaped this newly evolving discipline. The module provides you with an understanding of the contemporary theory, critical issues in, and perspectives on, environmental regulation and policy. It also aims to provide you with a sound grasp of cutting-edge debates surrounding global environmental challenges from biodiversity loss, to air pollution and the climate emergency.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. demonstrate detailed, comprehensive knowledge of the law relating to environmental law and policy, including a substantial range of major concepts, values and principles relevant to its application; 2. demonstrate critical awareness of a wide range of social and contextual implications of the areas of environmental law studied; 3. compare, analyse and synthesise the principal rules and theories relating to environmental law and policy; 4. identify, explain and critically evaluate key issues in environmental law and policy, applying relevant rules and theories; |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 5. demonstrate detailed, comprehensive knowledge of legal concepts and their wider contextual, social and political implications; 6. select, integrate and present, coherently and reflectively, relevant law, social and environmental justice theory arguments; |
| Personal and Key Skills | 7. communicate and engage in debate effectively and accurately, in a manner appropriate to the discipline/different contexts; 8. identify, retrieve and use efficiently a range of resources with minimum guidance; and 9. work independently and manage time efficiently in preparing for scheduled learning activities and assessments. |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
While the module’s precise content and syllabus may vary each year, it is anticipated that it will cover the following topics:
Foundations of Environmental Law
- Values, Principles and Concepts
- Sources and Institutions
- Regulation, Compliance and Enforcement
- Public Participation and the Aarhus Convention
Critical Perspectives in Environmental Law
- Nature Conservation Law
- Environmental Rights
- Air Pollution Regulation
- Climate Law, Policy & Justice
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 26.5 | 123.5 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 22 | 11 x 2 hour lectures |
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 4.5 | 3 x 1.5 hour workshops |
| Guided independent study | 54 | General reading for the module |
| Guided independent study | 27 | Workshop preparation |
| Guided independent study | 42.5 | Assessment preparation |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
Other Learning Resources
Birnie, Boyle and Redgwell, International Law & the Environment (4th edn, OUP 2018)
Fisher, Lange and Scotford, Environmental Law: Text, Cases and Materials (2nd edn, OUP 2019)
Sands and Peel, Principles of International Environmental Law, (4th edn.,CUP 2018)
Sample Journal Articles & Contributions to Edited Volumes:
N. Gunningham, ‘Enforcing Environmental Regulation’ (2011) Journal of Environmental Law 23 (2): 169-201
S. Humphreys, ‘Competing claims: human rights and climate harms’ in Humphreys (Ed.), Human Rights and Climate Change (Cambridge University Press, 2010) Chapter 1 p37-66.
M. Lee and C, Abbot, ‘The usual suspects? Public participation under the Aarhus Convention’ (2003) 66 Modern Law Review 80- 108.
L. Rajamani, ‘The 2015 Paris Agreement: Interplay Between Hard, Soft and Non-Obligations’ (2016) 28 Journal of Environmental Law 337–358.
C. Reid and W. Nsoh, 'The Privatisation of Biodiversity?' (Edward Elgar, 2016) Chapter 9: Reflections pp.253-260.
A. Venn ‘Social Justice and Climate Change’ in T. M. Letcher (Ed.) Managing Global Warming: An interface between technology and human issues (Elsevier, 2018) Chapter 24 pp.711-723.
Yamineva and Romppanen, ‘Is law failing to address air pollution? Reflections on international and EU developments’ (2017) RECIEL, 26(3) 189-200.
