Students
LAW 855 – Environmental Law and Sustainable Development
2017 – S1 External
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Andrew Burke
Contact via Email
W3A 514
Any time by prior appointment
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| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MEnvLaw or MIntEnvLaw or MIntRel or MWldMgt or LLM or MSocEntre or MIntLawGovPP or GradDipIntRel or MPlan or MPPP or GradDipPP 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 law in Australia. Environmental law has evolved into a large and rapidly developing field. 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 divides in our globalised world are also enduring issues. Environmental law can also be seen as a reaction to exploitative growth and ecologically destructive projects. Much of the early environmental law had this focus. The unit also highlights the need for practical strategies for ecological sustainability.
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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:
- Identify and critique key ethical and interdisciplinary perspectives on the environment.
- Describe and analyse the history of environmental law and regulation in Australia, including the emergence of sustainable development as a key principle.
- Define and critique different styles of environmental regulation and the regulatory tools available.
- Recognise and assess how environmental law relates to other laws in Australia and at the international level and the extent of consistency/inconsistency.
- Identify and interpret the most important cases and statutes in Australian environmental law and critique their content and significance.
- Identify and analyse the major challenges facing environmental law in Australia and explain whether solutions exist taking into consideration past successes/failures.
- Analyse and prepare sound recommendations for law reform, further research, or the creative application of existing law, to address environmental issues.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short introductory essay | 30% | No | Monday 20 March |
| Class participation | 20% | No | Throughout |
| Research paper | 50% | No | Thursday 8 June |
Short introductory essay
Due: Monday 20 March
Weighting: 30%
A short essay on a specific aspect of environmental law. Topics and instructions will be posted on iLearn in Week 2 or earlier. It is not a research essay, but some reading and referencing will be required. Length: 1,300 words (excluding footnotes and bibliography). To be submitted through Turnitin in Word format. Deadline: 23:55 on March 20th.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify and critique key ethical and interdisciplinary perspectives on the environment.
- Identify and analyse the major challenges facing environmental law in Australia and explain whether solutions exist taking into consideration past successes/failures.
Class participation
Due: Throughout
Weighting: 20%
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 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.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe and analyse the history of environmental law and regulation in Australia, including the emergence of sustainable development as a key principle.
- Define and critique different styles of environmental regulation and the regulatory tools available.
- Recognise and assess how environmental law relates to other laws in Australia and at the international level and the extent of consistency/inconsistency.
- Identify and analyse the major challenges facing environmental law in Australia and explain whether solutions exist taking into consideration past successes/failures.
Research paper
Due: Thursday 8 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 4 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 (excluding footnotes and bibliography). To be submitted through Turnitin in Word format. Deadline: 23:55 on June 8th.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe and analyse the history of environmental law and regulation in Australia, including the emergence of sustainable development as a key principle.
- Define and critique different styles of environmental regulation and the regulatory tools available.
- Recognise and assess how environmental law relates to other laws in Australia and at the international level and the extent of consistency/inconsistency.
- Identify and interpret the most important cases and statutes in Australian environmental law and critique their content and significance.
- Analyse and prepare sound recommendations for law reform, further research, or the creative application of existing law, to address environmental issues.
Delivery and Resources
Readings for each week will be posted in advance on iLearn.
Recommended textbooks: Gerry Bates, Environmental Law in Australia, 9th edition, 2016; 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.
Unit Schedule
Week 1: Introduction to unit. History and context of environmental law.
There will be no tutorial this week.
Week 2: Can legislation save the world?
Tutorials start this week. Tutorial questions will be posted on iLearn a few days in advance.
Week 3: International environmental law.
Week 4: Environmentally sustainable development.
Week 5: Commonwealth environmental law.
Week 6: Biodiversity protection and the law on biodiversity offsetting.
Week 7: Pollution and waste.
* Semester break. *
Week 8: Mining law: Coal Seam Gas case study.
Week 9: Climate change law.
Week 10: Indigenous people and environmental law.
Week 11: Environmental crime.
Week 12: Limits of environmental law.
Week 13: Bulga-Milbrodale Progress Association Inc. v Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and Warkworth Mining Ltd; a complex and topical case study reflecting the themes of the Unit.
Policies and Procedures
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_2016.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 (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results
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.
Moderation
Detailed marking criteria will be made available. Papers receiving a fail grade will be double-marked.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
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.
Graduate Capabilities
PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Identify and interpret the most important cases and statutes in Australian environmental law and critique their content and significance.
Assessment task
- Research paper
PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Describe and analyse the history of environmental law and regulation in Australia, including the emergence of sustainable development as a key principle.
- Recognise and assess how environmental law relates to other laws in Australia and at the international level and the extent of consistency/inconsistency.
Assessment task
- Class participation
PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Identify and critique key ethical and interdisciplinary perspectives on the environment.
- Define and critique different styles of environmental regulation and the regulatory tools available.
- Identify and interpret the most important cases and statutes in Australian environmental law and critique their content and significance.
- Identify and analyse the major challenges facing environmental law in Australia and explain whether solutions exist taking into consideration past successes/failures.
Assessment tasks
- Class participation
- Research paper
PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Define and critique different styles of environmental regulation and the regulatory tools available.
Assessment task
- Research paper
PG - Effective Communication
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Analyse and prepare sound recommendations for law reform, further research, or the creative application of existing law, to address environmental issues.
Assessment tasks
- Short introductory essay
- Class participation
PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Identify and analyse the major challenges facing environmental law in Australia and explain whether solutions exist taking into consideration past successes/failures.
- Analyse and prepare sound recommendations for law reform, further research, or the creative application of existing law, to address environmental issues.
Assessment task
- Short introductory essay
Changes from Previous Offering
N/A.
Changes since First Published
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 01/02/2017 | Updated staff details and schedule. |