Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lecturer and tutor
Alexander Zahar
Contact via Email
W3A 441
Any time by prior appointment
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MEnvLaw or PGDipEnvLaw or PGCertEnvLaw or MIntEnvLaw or PGDipIntEnvLaw or PGCertIntEnvLaw or MIntRel or MWldMgt or PGDipWldMgt or LLM in Environmental Law or MSocEntre or PGCertSocEntre or MIntLawGovPubPol or GradDipIntRel or 42cp in LAW units at 400 or 500 level or (admission to JD and 32cp in LAW or LAWS units at 800 level)
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
LAW 560
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Unit description |
Unit description
The unit provides an introduction to environmental policy, philosophy, and the legal system. Environmental law has evolved into a large and rapidly developing field. International standards and laws are often absorbed into Australian environmental law with surprising speed. Students can approach this subject as an essential dimension of international law, constitutional law, common law, administrative law, or property law. Human rights and the deepening divide between North and South in our globalised world are also enduring issues. Environmental law can also be approached 'defensively' as a reaction to exploitative growth and ecologically destructive projects. Much of the early environmental law had this focus. The unit also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to law and the need to incorporate legal frameworks into wider and practical strategies for ecological sustainability.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Due |
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Short introductory essay | 20% | Monday 16 March |
Class participation | 30% | Throughout |
Research paper | 50% | Thursday 4 June |
Due: Monday 16 March
Weighting: 20%
A short, early assessment, essay on a general aspect of environmental law. Topics and instructions will be posted on iLearn in Week 2 or earlier. It is meant as a reflective "ideas essay", rather than a research essay, but some reading and referencing will be required. Length: 1,400 words. To be submitted through Turnitin. Deadline: 23:55 on March 16th.
Due: Throughout
Weighting: 30%
Students are expected to discuss relevant materials in class and answer tutorial questions and problems. You are also expected to engage with other students and the convenor/tutor in an appropriate manner that involves analysis of the assigned material and informed responses to questions posed in class. Students will not be awarded the class participation mark simply for attending the tutorial sessions. For external students, the same principles apply in relation to the On-Campus Session.
Due: Thursday 4 June
Weighting: 50%
Topics and instructions will be posted early in the semester. You can also submit your own essay topic for the convenor's approval. This is intended as a thought-provoking exercise to stimulate you to explore in depth a topic of genuine interest to you. Each student is required to EMAIL the convenor a one-page outline of his or her chosen research topic, method, and indicative sources for approval by Thursday 31 March. Research paper length: 4,200 words. To be submitted through Turnitin. Deadline: 23:55 on June 4th.
The textbook for the unit is Gerry Bates, Environmental Law in Australia, 8th edition, 2013.
Tutorial questions and other information about the unit will be communicated through iLearn.
Week 1: Introduction to unit. History and context of environmental law. Required reading: Chapters 1 and 2.
Note: There will be no tutorial this week.
Week 2: Environmental legislation. Required reading: Chapter 6.
Note: Tutorials for internal students start in Week 2. Tutorial questions will be posted on iLearn a few days in advance.
Week 3: International environmental law. Required reading: Chapter 4.
Week 4: Sustainable development. Required reading: Chapter 7.
Week 5: Commonwealth environmental law. Required reading: Chapter 5.
Week 6: Biodiversity protection, Part I. Required reading: Chapters 11 and 12.
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Semester break.
On-Campus Session, 15-16 April.
A program for the OCS will be posted on iLearn prior to the semester break.
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Week 7: Biodiversity protection, Part II. Required reading: Chapter 13.
Week 8: Pollution and waste. Required reading: Chapter 15.
Week 9: Mining law. Required reading: Chapter 14.
Week 10: Climate change. Required reading: Chapter 16.
Week 11: Environmental crime. Required reading: Chapters 18 and 19.
Week 12: Limitations of environmental law. Required reading: Chapter 20.
Week 13: There will be no lecture or tutorial in this week. Use this week to put the final touches to your research paper.
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, 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.
In the absence of a successful application for special consideration, any assessment task submitted after its published deadline will not be graded and will receive a mark of zero.
Word limits will be strictly applied and work above the word limit will not be marked. Footnotes are only to be used for referencing. Substantive material in footnotes will not be marked.
All assessments in the unit are to be submitted electronically. Plagiarism detection software is used in this unit.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
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