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LAW-30128 - Module Specification
School of Law
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2022/23 Last Updated: 19 January 2023

LAW-30128 - Contemporary Issues in Environmental Law
Coordinator: Emma Allen Room: CBC2.005 Tel: +44 1782 7 34512
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733218

Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

N/A

Barred Combinations

N/A

Description for 2022/23

This module is designed to introduce you to certain topical issues in environmental law, an up-and-coming area in an age of increasing concern over the footprint humans are leaving on the planet. It is intended to be freestanding and neither assumes nor depends upon any existing knowledge of the subject.
After examining the nature and sources of environmental law at the domestic, regional and international levels and identifying certain overarching environmental principles, the module turns to consider a number of substantive topical issues. These may include (but are not limited to): climate change; environmental crime; environmental litigation; corporate environmental responsibility/impunity; biodiversity, species protection and animal welfare; the right to a healthy environment; and the environmental impacts of COVID-19. The approach taken means that there is some flexibility in the syllabus and the topical issues covered may change from time to time.
This module is unique in that it is the first in the Law School to have been designed in partnership with students and there will be opportunities to engage in further partnership working each time it unfolds. For instance, you will be provided with a choice of topics for part of the module, to be negotiated by a democratic process, and you will be involved, with appropriate scaffolding, in helping to design some of the questions on which you will be assessed.

Aims
The aim of this module is to critically consider the role played by law in tackling some of the most pressing environmental issues of our time.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Evaluate the operation of environmental law at the domestic, regional and international levels: 1,2
Critically appraise substantive topical issues of environmental law studied on the module: 1,2
Identify and explain the various successes and shortcomings of environmental law: 1,2
Anticipate future directions in environmental law: 1,2
Communicate in writing on environmental law in a clear, logically structured way that synthesises arguments from a range of primary and secondary sources: 1,2

Study hours

Seminars: 22 hours
Seminar Preparation: 60 hours
Online Assignment: 28 hours
Legal Policy Brief Preparation: 40 hours

School Rules

N/A

Description of Module Assessment

1: Online Tasks weighted 40%
Online Assignment
Students will be asked to complete an online assignment at the end of the semester (comprising multiple choice and short answer questions) on the module content. The expectation is that they will demonstrate a clear and critical understanding of the issues raised. They will be given 28 hours to complete the assignment and to submit it electronically. The word limit is 1000 words. In the spirit of partnership, students will be involved in designing multiple choice questions throughout the semester based on the module content, for which they will be provided with appropriate scaffolding and feedback. The questions designed will act as a study resource, but an agreed number (following editing by the module leader) will also be incorporated into the online assignment.

2: Exercise weighted 60%
Legal Policy Brief
Students will produce a legal policy brief (a key tool used to present research and recommendations to a non-specialised audience) on an environmental issue encountered in the module. They will be given parameters within which they can focus on what was of most interest to them. Guidelines for writing the brief will be provided and students will also have the opportunity to compare/discuss some exemplars before compiling their drafts. The word limit is 2000 words.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 19 January 2023