LW3ENV-Environmental Law

Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Prof Chris Hilson
Email: c.j.hilson@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This module involves the study of environmental law and regulation.

Aims:

This module aims to provide students with a detailed knowledge and understanding of certain key areas of environmental law and regulation. The module adopts an Anglocentric approach although it also reflects the substantial impact of EU and international law in the international sphere. 

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of the nature and origins of environmental law including the scope of the subject and the justifications for regarding it as a distinct area of study;
- recognise the importance of EU law in the environmental sphere;
- analyse the role of the various principles of environmental law;
- appraise critically the various environmental protection mechanisms;
- explain the role of enforcement in environmental regulation;
- evaluate the place of risk in environmental law;
- appraise critically the role of the common law and environmental liability in environmental protection;
- draw on and apply selected substantive areas of environmental law to practical problems.

Additional outcomes:
The module also aims to develop, among others, IT, oral presentation and research skills. As a particularly policy-orientated subject, environmental law also presents students with an opportunity to branch out from traditional legal analysis.

Outline content:

- justifications for environmental law and the nature of the subject - legislative and institutional structure of environmental law in the EU and in England and Wales including the implications of Brexit - ‘principles’ of environmental protection - risk in environmental law - mechanisms of environmental protection - common law and environmental liability - substantive legal regimes which apply in relation to water pollution, air pollution, land contamination and waste management i n the EU and in England and Wales - the legal response to climate change from a UK, EU and international perspective. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Teaching is likely to be one two-hour seminar fortnightly for a total of 10 seminars. The seminars will involve structured group discussion and may involve brief oral presentation of material. *However, it may be necessary to change to a teaching pattern of weekly seminars all in one term only.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	10	10	2
Guided independent study:	89	89
Total hours by term	99	99	2
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	70
Written assignment including essay	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:
One two-hour examination paper counting for 70% of the module marks. Two questions to be answered from a selection of questions.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
One assessed essay of not more than 5 pages formatted in accordance with the rules laid down in the School Guide (Programme Assessment). Essay title may be freestanding or may constitute multipart question pertaining to an extended case study.

Relative percentage of coursework: 30%

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
40%

Reassessment arrangements:
£ Assignment: reassessment under different essay title.
£ Re-sit examination paper.

In both cases reassessments to be held in accordance with University Regulations i.e. marks to be capped at 40% unless candidate is deemed not to have sat.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 8 April 2021