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LS453H: FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES IN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW (2024-2025)

Last modified: 23 Jul 2024 11:07


Course Overview

The impact of human activity on the environment is indisputable, prompting governments to adopt measures aimed at halting and reversing environmental degradation. This course explores the causes of environmental degradation and how the law is responding to these problems. It introduces the principles of environmental law and their application and effectiveness in protecting the environment. It also considers some of the legal regimes established to address issues such as biodiversity loss, air pollution, land degradation, chemical and plastic pollution, and climate change.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Term Second Term Credit Points 25 credits (12.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Tomilola Akanle Eni-ibukun
  • Dr Mitchell Lennan

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Law (LS)
  • One of Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4 or Programme Level 5
  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

Yes

One or more of these courses have a limited number of places. Priority access will be given to students for whom this course is compulsory. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for more details on this process.


Course Description

Environmental law is a fascinating and still evolving area of law. The impact of human activity on the environment is indisputable, prompting governments to adopt measures aimed at halting and reversing environmental degradation. Land degradation, the loss of biological diversity (biodiversity), ozone depletion, plastic pollution, air pollution, and climate change — these are just some of the challenges affecting the Earth. Primarily stemming from uncontrolled development and poorly regulated consumption of natural resources, these issues collectively afflict our planet. The law is an essential tool for addressing these challenges.

This course examines the causes of environmental degradation and how the law is responding to these problems, at international, regional and local levels. It explores the complex relationship between development and the environment, and the North-South dimension of international environmental law, addressing issues of justice and fairness in the global response to environmental degradation.


It introduces the principles of environmental law and their application and effectiveness in protecting the environment. It also considers some of the legal regimes established to address issues such as biodiversity loss, air pollution, land degradation, chemical and plastic pollution, and climate change.

Course aims:

  •  To equip students with the knowledge of how the law can be used as a tool to address environmental challenges and protect the environment;
  • To provide students with an overview of key principles of environmental law and how they are applied in various environmental regimes internationally and domestically, particularly in the UK; and
  •  To help students develop their critical thinking and analytical skills by providing an opportunity to consider the effectiveness of global action to protect the environment.

 


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 40
Assessment Weeks 30 Feedback Weeks 33

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

The feedback will be provided in written form and in accordance with the Common Grading Scale. The feedback will be provided within three weeks of submission, in accordance with the School’s and University’s policies.

Word Count 2000
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseAnalyse the complex relationship between development and the environment, as well as understanding of the North-South dimension of international environmental law
FactualUnderstandUnderstand the nature of environmental problems, contemporary environmental challenges, and the legal measures, both domestic and international, designed to tackle them

Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 60
Assessment Weeks 39 Feedback Weeks 42

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

The feedback will be provided in written form and in accordance with the Common Grading Scale. The feedback will be provided within three weeks as of submission, in accordance with the School’s and University’s policies.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualEvaluateEvaluate the measures adopted to address environmental issues and assess their effectiveness
ConceptualEvaluateDemonstrate reasoning, research and communication skills to evaluate the principles of environmental law and their impact on the development of environmental law

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

The feedback will be provided in written form and in accordance with the Common Grading Scale. The feedback will be provided within three weeks as of submission, in accordance with the School’s and University’s policies.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualUnderstandUnderstand the nature of environmental problems, contemporary environmental challenges, and the legal measures, both domestic and international, designed to tackle them
ConceptualAnalyseAnalyse the complex relationship between development and the environment, as well as understanding of the North-South dimension of international environmental law
ConceptualEvaluateDemonstrate reasoning, research and communication skills to evaluate the principles of environmental law and their impact on the development of environmental law
ConceptualEvaluateEvaluate the measures adopted to address environmental issues and assess their effectiveness

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