Students
LAWS5060 – Environmental Law
2024 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lecturer
Shawkat Alam
Contact via shawkat.alam@mq.edu.au
Room 214, 17 WW
Wednesday 12-1pm
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(130cp in LAW or LAWS units) or (130cp including ENVS2467 or ENV267)
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit introduces students to the specialised and burgeoning area of environmental law on both the national and international stage. It evaluates the effectiveness of current environmental law in the context of ongoing and emerging challenges. The unit adopts a multidisciplinary perspective to help augment understanding of the complexity of environmental challenges and enhance the analysis of relevant legislation and case law. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Identify the major global and Australian environmental challenges.
- ULO2: Describe key ethical and multidisciplinary perspectives on the environment.
- ULO3: Apply environmental law at multiple governance scales, taking into account contextual factors.
- ULO4: Analyse the capacity of different forms of environmental regulations to manage environmental challenges.
General Assessment Information
Please consult the unit iLearn page for detailed instructions for assessments in this unit.
Class participation
This assessment is about active engagement in tutorials; not mere attendance. Contributing to tutorial discussions and tutorial exercises throughout the entire semester will be the primary activity marked for this assessment. Online contributions to the weekly discussion forums can add to the class participation, not replace it - except when absence from a tutorial is notified in advance and approved as justified.
Late Assessment Submission Penalty
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| In class participation | 10% | No | Week 2-13 |
| Take home assessment | 40% | No | 14 April 2024 11:55pm |
| Research Essay | 50% | No | 2 June 2024 11:55pm |
In class participation
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Week 2-13
Weighting: 10%
Students will prepare and participate in relevant discussion and problem solving tasks during tutorials
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify the major global and Australian environmental challenges.
- Describe key ethical and multidisciplinary perspectives on the environment.
Take home assessment
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 14 April 2024 11:55pm
Weighting: 40%
Students will submit responses to questions based on a hypothetical scenario
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify the major global and Australian environmental challenges.
- Apply environmental law at multiple governance scales, taking into account contextual factors.
- Analyse the capacity of different forms of environmental regulations to manage environmental challenges.
Research Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 2 June 2024 11:55pm
Weighting: 50%
Students will prepare a research essay that analyses a topic of environmental law.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe key ethical and multidisciplinary perspectives on the environment.
- Apply environmental law at multiple governance scales, taking into account contextual factors.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Delivery
Tutorials will commence in Week 2 and conclude in Week 13. Please consult the official timetable. Students are expected to watch pre-recorded weekly lectures that will be made available for each week in Echo 360 via the iLearn unit page.
Students are expected to have prepared for the tutorials by watching the lecture and reading the prescribed materials for that week, and preparing any tutorial execises assigned for that week on iLearn. Active participation in tutorials is assessed.
Resources
Required textbook: Gerry Bates, Environmental Law in Australia (11th ed., 2023, LexisNexis).
Additional readings may be prescribed through iLearn.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Unit information based on version 2024.01 of the Handbook