Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

To provide an overview of:

The political and legal understanding of environmental law, its historical background, fundamental concepts, principles, and environmental rights

• The legal framework and regulatory regimes for the protection of the environment in the UK

• The role and rights of the public in environmental decision-making

Integrated themes – environmental and climate justice, comparative environmental law and politics; nexus between colonialism-capitalism-imperialism

Outline Of Syllabus

Lecture topics:
•       Introduction to environmental law (2 hours)
•       Ecology and Biodiversity (4 hours)
•       Environmental permitting (2 hours)
•       Regulation of land use (planning law and conservation) (2 hours)
•       Climate change, Society and Politics (5 hours)
•       International environmental law (1 hour)
•       Environmental justice and Challenges to Environmental Law (4 hours - pre-recorded lecture)
•       Revision/assessment preparation (2 hours)

1 Workshop
•       Week 27 (2 hours)

5 seminars:
•       Environmental principles
•       Water and Ecology
•       Climate Justice
•       Regulation
•       Regulation (Extended drop-in)

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

•       Ability to identify and critically understand the interrelation between environmental law, environmental science, legal cultures and more importantly, environmental politics.
•       Familiarisation with the background to and development of environmental regulation in the UK
•       Understanding the role of environmental institutions in environmental regulation in the UK
•       Understanding the operation of the main environmental regulatory regimes in the UK
•       Recognition of the limitations and weaknesses of these regimes
•       Understanding the interaction between international environmental law, domestic law and the underpinning influence of global environmental/climate politics.
•       A broad understanding of environmental jurisprudence and environmental legal cultures

Intended Skill Outcomes

•       Ability to read legislation and understand complex regulatory regimes
•       Ability to critically analyse the law
•       Ability to form and communicate an opinion on the effectiveness of regulatory regimes, supported by evidence
•       Ability to discern social and political conditions underlying environmental law and the role of politics in the environmental policy making and legislative processes

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The lectures establish the framework for knowledge pertaining to environmental law and global environmental conditions. It also provides techniques for analysis of the law. The lectures are intended to convey to the students the breadth and depth required in their own study and learning that addresses the complexities of environmental law. The small group teaching allows for detailed application of the knowledge and techniques by the students. The guided independent study takes the form of directed reading and tasks to consolidate and expand on the lectures, enable preparation for the small group learning, and preparation for completing the assessment. These teaching methods promote knowledge and understanding of the subject matter and allow for development of skills in reading and analysing the law. It also facilitates developing and communicating clear arguments. Further, the teaching methods aim to build passion for the subject and commitment to environmental issues and not mere engagement with the materials presented within the syllabus.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The summative assessed coursework will give students the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their research skills and their understanding of the operation of environmental law. Students will be expected to present a coherent argument supported by law, legal theory, policy and academic discussion. The coursework will give the students the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of one of the topics studied in the module, as well as develop their research and analytical skills. The formative 1000 word essay outline will allow students to develop their research skills and plan for the summative assessment.

General Notes

N/A