Class participation will be assessed in weekly tutorials for internal students and during the On Campus Session (OCS) for external students. Students should ensure they have completed the required reading before tutorials or the OCS. The dates from the OCS can be found on the timetable.

Students must be prepared to discuss this material during the OCS.

Readings and tutorial questions will be supplied in a separate document posted on the iLearn webpage.

Participation will involve: exploring, analysing and applying the principal issues covered in the unit, answering questions put directly to you, engaging in formal and informal debates, group work, and constructing and presenting legal arguments.

Class participation will be assessed on:
    ✓    Demonstration of knowledge of the readings.
    ✓    Level of critical analysis displayed
    ✓    Relevant original contributions
    ✓    Ability to engage constructively with other students and the Tutor
    ✓    Your ability to make an educated and legally feasible arguments in class

Note that no marks are awarded just for attending class, and that assessment is based on the quality, not quantity, of your work in class. Students should also note that the onus to participate in class is on you, not on the Convener. In other words, it is not the job of the Convener to engage you in discussion so that you may avail yourself of the class participation assessment.

A feedback form will be provided at roughly half way through the semester so that students can assess their progress.

This is a relatively short, reflective paper that is aimed specifically at post graduates with the intention of introducing students to different ways of evaluating the effectivness of environmental law. 

Students are to select a topical planning or development issue from the media and dicuss the environmental implications including their understanding of how law might regulate such issues. 

The paper is not intended to be research intensive and as such is much more conceptual in focus. The key is identifying what the potential legal issue has arisen from the planning/development issue, the environmental dimension, how and why law is triggered and the potential outcome.

Maximum word length is 1,000 words. 

All students are required to answer a set essay question in 2,500 - 3,000 words based primarily (but NOT exclusively) on the unit readings for weeks 1 to 6 and additional references as set out on the Course Schedule and Reading List. Further research should also be undertaken.

The question(s) will be released in due course.

Your answer should:
    ✓    Critically assess the statement, and discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement
    ✓    Consider the relative strengths and weaknesses of the statement
    ✓    Consider principles/instruments that underpin planning and environmental law
    ✓    Answers must consider legislation and case law where appropriate and relevant
    ✓    Consider the question in the context of relevant proposals for law reform

Students should utilise the course readings and additional references but some further research should also be undertaken. The assignment must be typed. The paper should be well structured including sub-headings where appropriate. The introduction should set out the scope of the paper. Be sure to answer the question asked.

The assignment is due April 17 (Internal students) or April 28 (External students)

Postgraduate Students are to complete an independent research paper on a topic of their choice related to this Unit. This task allows students to undertake in-depth research and analysis of a specific aspect of planning law, the legal frameworks in a given country or the legal issues associated with a particular site. Further students are to give consideration to relevant theoretical frameworks and methodology. A brief outline of the research question and structure of the paper should be submitted to the Convenor for approval by Friday, Week 8. 

This is for your benefit to ensure that the topic is suitable and the structure and content appropriate. The paper should be well structured including sub-headings where appropriate. The introduction should set out the scope of the paper. You need to include sufficient detail of the specific legal principles or regime and analysis/application of that law. Your conclusion should include recommendations for new law, law reform, further research and/or creative application of the existing law where appropriate. The essay should be fully referenced according to the Australian Guide to Legal Citation 3rd Edition. Word Length: 3,000 - 3,500 words.