Overview

The module will offer the student an opportunity to study the legal tools available for environmental protection in the domestic, European and international contexts. The main areas of study under domestic environmental law may include the ethical/philosophical underpinnings of environmental protection, international environmental principles, civil liability, criminal liability, and selected areas of public law regulation, principally planning law and nature conservation law. The main areas of study under international law may include topics such as the global response to climate change, biodiversity, the protection of specific ecosystems, sustainable development, transboundary pollution control, and the protection of the environment during armed conflict.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -Threshold: D- to D+ (40-49%) An answer which, while predominantly correct in its presentation of material, contains a significant level of error and is therefore not entirely reliable. -good -Good: B- to B+ (60-69%) High Standard: A comprehensive answer, containing all the material relevant to the question and no irrelevancy, all the material and references being accurate and correct, there being no inaccuracy or error, the whole presented in an argument which, while clear, logical and critical, leaves room for improvement in its construction and presentation. An answer which shows complete competence in the subject. -excellent -Excellent: A- to A* (70+%) An outstanding answer containing all the material relevant to the question and no irrelevancy, all the material and references being accurate and correct, there being no inaccuracy or error, the whole presented in a clear, logical, critical argument with little room for improvement. An answer which demonstrates a complete mastery of the subject. -another level-C- to C+ (50-59%) An answer which, while always in the main accurate and correct, fails to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant material and is lacking in criticism. An answer which while reliable with regard to correctness is either not comprehensive or not entirely pertinent.

Learning Outcomes

• Critically analyse and correctly apply relevant legal sources to factual environmental law situations and problems.

• Critically analyse and show comprehensive understanding of the wider contextual issues in relation to UK, European and International environmental law, including the ethical foundations of the subject and relevant economic concepts.

• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the key legal principles and concepts relating to the protection of the environment at domestic and international levels.

• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of how environmental law operates in relation to social, cultural and economic issues.

• Evaluate and critique the main competing arguments and debates on environmental law, having identified them in the scholarly literature.