Introduction
Addressing some of the most important issues for humanity and the future of our planet, this unit is suitable for both law and non-law students. This foundational unit, as a basis for more advanced study in the field, introduces the major environmental problems that the law is expected to address, focusing on environmental law and policy at the Commonwealth level and some reference to Tasmania as an example of State-level responses to environmental issues. The unit’s core themes are:
- why does environmental law exist (what problems does it respond to and what ideas and philosophies shape that response);
- who are the key actors in environmental law (e.g. states, corporations and the general public);
- where does environmental law come from (e.g. common law, public legislation and international law);
- how is environmental law implemented (e.g., regulation, economic instruments). The unit concludes with case studies (eg climate change and nature conservation) offering more in-depth analysis of the main themes of the syllabus.
Summary 2021
| Unit name | Environmental Law |
|---|---|
| Unit code | LAW242 |
| Credit points | 12.5 |
| Faculty/School | College of Arts, Law and Education Faculty of Law |
| Discipline | Law |
| Coordinator | Professor Benjamin Richardson |
| Available as student elective? | Yes |
| Breadth Unit? | No |
Availability
Note
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TNE Program units special approval requirements.
* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (see withdrawal dates explained for more information).
Learning Outcomes
- Describe and explain the architecture of Australian environmental law, including the key sources, goals, actors and tools and the guiding policies, philosophies and principles of environmental law in Australia.
- Critique the principles in light of the difficulties faced by decision-makers in implementing these principles.
- Apply this knowledge of environmental law to different scenarios including climate change and biodiversity conservation.
Fees
Requisites
50 credit points of Introductory units.
It is recommend that you have completed LAW107 Foundations of Law.
Teaching
| Assessment | Coursework Essay, 2500 w0rds (30%), Final Exam, 2 hours (50%), Tutorial participation (20%) |
|---|---|
| Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
| Required | None |
|---|
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