Modiwl SXL-4854:
Contemp Issues in Int Envi Law
Contemporary Issues in International Environmental Law 2024-25
SXL-4854
2024-25
School Of History, Law And Social Sciences
Module - Semester 2
20 credits
Module Organiser:
Lucy Finchett-Maddock
Overview
This module will examine the theory and practice of international environmental law. Topics covered may include: sources of international environmental law including multilateral environmental agreements and customary law; Theoretical understandings of international environmental law such as anthropocentrism, anthropomorphism and envirocentrism; Principles and concepts of international environmental law including sustainable development, the precautionary principle, the ‘polluter pays’ principle, prevention; Information, public participation, and access to justice in environmental matters; Transboundary pollution; Climate change and energy; Conservation and biodiversity; Protection of different ecosystems including marine, forest and polar ecosystems; Environmental impact assessments; Human rights, conflict and the environment; Enforcement issues. When covering topics in this module, the emphasis will be on supporting students to develop the capacity to apply international environmental law to specific contemporary issues that cross a number of topics, issues such as addressing marine plastic waste and regulating the use of geoengineering.
Assessment Strategy
Students will be required to submit an essay critically analysing a contemporary issue under international environmental law. In a separate assessment students will be required to develop a report on a case study which communicates complex issues and a complex legal analysis of a contemporary environmental issue to a non-expert audience.
Excellent A- to A* (70%+) · Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and detailed understanding of the subject area. · Demonstrate extensive background study. ·Be well structured and highly focused. · Contain logically presented and defended arguments. · Be free of factual/computational errors. · Include significant elements of original interpretation. · Demonstrate an ability to identify, develop and present new links between topics. · Include new approaches to analysing and/or explaining a problem. · Be presented to very high standards with very accurate communication.
Good B- to B+ (60-69%) · Demonstrate strong knowledge and understanding of most of the subject area. · Demonstrate evidence of background study. · Be well structured and focused. · Contain coherently presented arguments. · Be mostly free of factual/computational errors. · Include some elements of original interpretation. · Describe well known links between topics. · Analyse and/or explain problems using existing methods/approaches. · Be presented to high standards with accurate communication.
C- to C+C- to C+ (50-59%) Demonstrate knowledge of key areas/principles. · Have some, if only limited, evidence of background study. · Be focussed on the question with only some irrelevant material and weaknesses in structure. · Attempt to present relevant and logical arguments. · Not contain a large number of factual/computational errors. · Describe major links between topics. · Attempt to analyse and/or explain problems. · Be free of major weaknesses in presentation and accuracy
Assessment method
Class Test
Assessment type
Summative
Description
In class written summary of a case study relating to the principles of international environmental law.
Weighting
25%
Due date
13/03/2023
Assessment method
Essay
Assessment type
Summative
Description
Students will be required to submit an essay critically analysing a contemporary issue under international environmental law.
Weighting
75%
Due date
08/05/2022