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 or MSocEntre or PGCertSocEntre or MIntLawGovPP or GradDipIntRel or MPPP or GradDipPP or MIntLawGovPubPol or 42cp in LAW or LAWS 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 21 March |
Class participation | 30% | Throughout |
Research paper | 50% | Thursday 9 June |
Due: Monday 21 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 to be a reflective "ideas essay", rather than a research essay, but some reading and referencing will be required. Length: 1,300 words. To be submitted through Turnitin in Word format. Deadline: 23:55 on March 21st.
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.
Due: Thursday 9 June
Weighting: 50%
Essay 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 to be a thought-provoking exercise to stimulate you to independently explore in depth a topic of genuine interest to you. By Tuesday 5 April, 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. Research paper length: 4,000 words. To be submitted through Turnitin in Word format. Deadline: 23:55 on June 9th.
Readings for each week will be posted in advance on iLearn.
Recommended textbooks: Gerry Bates, Environmental Law in Australia, 8th edition, 2013; and D. E. Fisher, Australian Environmental Law, 3rd edition, 2014.
Weekly tutorial questions and other information about the unit will also be communicated through iLearn.
Week 1: Introduction to unit. History and context of environmental law. There will be no tutorial this week.
Week 2: Readings for this week must be completed and will be discussed in Week 3. There will be no lecture or tutorial this week.
Week 3: Introduction to international environmental law. Tutorials start this week. Tutorial questions will be posted on iLearn a few days in advance.
Week 4: Environmentally sustainable development.
Week 5: Commonwealth environmental law.
Week 6: Biodiversity protection and the law on biodiversity offsetting.
* Semester break. *
Week 7: Protection of forests.
Week 8: Pollution and waste.
Week 9: Coal mining and coal-seam gas.
Week 10: Climate change law.
Week 11: Environmental crime and enforcement.
Week 12: Limits of environmental law.
Week 13: There will be no lecture or tutorial in this week. Use this week to finalise your research essay.
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
New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/
Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.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.
Assessment policy
In the absence of a successful application for special consideration due to a disruption to studies, any assessment task submitted after its published deadline will not be graded and will receive a mark of zero. Applications for a Disruption to Studies are made via ask.mq.edu.au and must be accompanied by supporting documentation. Students should refer to the Disruption to Studies policy for complete details of the policy and a description of the supporting documentation required.
Word limits will be strictly applied and work above the word limit will not be marked.
All assessments in the unit are to be submitted through Turnitin. 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://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.
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