LAW4313 International Environmental Law

Workload:
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Prescribed Prerequisites/Recommended Prerequisites:
For students who commenced their LLB (Hons) course in 2015 or later: LAW1111; LAW1114; LAW1112; LAW1113; LAW2101; LAW2102; LAW2112; LAW2111

For students who commenced their LLB course prior to 2015: LAW1100 OR LAW1101 and LAW1102 or LAW1104

Assessments:

 * Research paper (2500 words): 50%
 * Take-home examination (2500 words): 50%

Recorded Lectures:
No.

Past exams available:
No.

Textbook recommended?
There was no textbook for this unit.

Comments:
Semester 1, 2015

This unit covered a very broad range of international environmental issues from sustainable development practices to the impact of International environmental laws on indigenous communities. Each week there was a new topic that was explored.

The lectures were very informative and most of the information was included on the lectures slides so that it was possible to listen to the lecture rather than take notes. There was also time allocated towards the end of the lectures to discuss the class readings for that week in groups and as class as a whole.

The assessment was a research paper on a topic of choice. I was required to develop an essay topic and to have this approved by the lecturer. I appreciated this approach as it meant I could research an area of International environmental law that I wished to learn more about. Given the broad nature of the unit, there were a lot of topics and research issues to choose from.

Dr Gerry Nagtzaam is an excellent lecturer. He is passionate about the issues of International Environmental Law and this is evident in the manner in which he lectures. He makes the lectures engaging by encouraging students to question what may happen if changes were made to the law, or if changes are not made to the law, and to think beyond the lifetime of our generation. He is also very witty, which can often bring a spark to the lecture when it is content heavy.

I would recommend this unit if you would like an interesting elective to accompany more challenging compulsory law units. The benefit of a take home exam means that you can complete an exam before the exam period begins. The content of the lectures is not particularly heavy; it is more of an introduction to the issues of International Environmental law. To do well however you will want to stay on top of readings and research further into areas in the course that have interested you in order to write your essay and complete the take home exam.