LAW3015 : Environmental Law
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Sakshi Sakshi
- Lecturer: Dr Anna McClean
- Owning School: Newcastle Law School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
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)
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 22 | 1:00 | 22:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 30:00 | 30:00 | Assessment preparation |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 1 | 137:00 | 137:00 | Reading, seminar preparation and other independent learning |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
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 Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | M | 100 | 3000 words |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 1000 word essay plan |
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.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- LAW3015's Timetable