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
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(24cp in LAW or LAWS units) or (39cp at 100 level or above including ENV267)
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
ENV300 or ENVE362 or ENVG340 or LAW314 or LAW315 or LAWS398 or LAWS399 or LAW490 or LAWS540 or GEOP340
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
LAW855
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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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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 | Hurdle | Due |
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Short introductory essay | 30% | No | Monday 20 March |
Class participation | 20% | No | Throughout |
Research paper | 50% | No | Thursday 8 June |
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: 1,200 words (excluding footnotes and bibliography). To be submitted through Turnitin in Word format. Deadline: 23:55 on March 20th.
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.
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: 3,800 words (excluding footnotes and bibliography). To be submitted through Turnitin in Word format. Deadline: 23:55 on June 8th.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Moderation
Detailed marking criteria will be made available. Papers receiving a fail grade will be double-marked.
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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As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
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