Unit Outline

This unit explores some of Australia’s most challenging environmental controversies, and the legal and policy context in which they arise. It uses a range of topical issues and case studies to introduce students to the framework for national and international environmental regulation, encouraging them to see how laws operate and apply in specific situations. Through these case studies, students will appreciate common themes and challenges in environmental governance, including: • failures of enforcement and implementation • problems of overlapping and overly complex regulation across local, state and national laws; • challenges for implementing the principles of ecologically sustainable development through law; • the role of international law in influencing domestic environmental law; • the importance of public participation in environmental decision-making; and • the role of markets, media, human rights and environmental ethics in environmental protection.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Describe and explain of the sources and principles of environmental law as they apply to the case studies and issues discussed in the unit.
2	Critically reflect on the range of social, political, ethical, economic and ecological factors that influence environmental law, policy, and decision making.
3	Research and evaluate a contemporary environmental problem and applicable legal framework.
4	Express yourself effectively orally and in writing, using a range of media.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	LAW639

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Assessment Task 3: Contribution to class discussion	See the MyLO site for the due date	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Assessment Task 2: Presentation and annotated bibliography	See the MyLO site for the due date	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Assessment Task 4: Examination - invigilated	See the MyLO site for the due date	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Assessment Task 1: Test	Week 4	20 %	LO1

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Assessment Task 3: Contribution to class discussion

Task Description:

Contributions to workshops throughout the unit.

Task Length:

Ongoing

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Engagement with and understanding of material	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Ability to make constructive and informed contributions to class discussion and observation of class etiquette	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Assessment Task 2: Presentation and annotated bibliography

Task Description:

Students explore a topic of particular interest and present it via short video.

Students submit a proposal using the form contained on the mylo assessment by week 4. The proposal is compulsory.

In order to assist in the evaluation of your presentation, students are also required to submit a bibliography of resources (academic sources, websites, videos, newspaper/media articles etc) used to prepare the presentation, with a short explanation (annotation) of how each of these sources was used (i.e. how they helped you/what you got from them). This bibliography is not separately graded, but it does enable me to “look behind” your presentation to understand the choices you have made about what to include or exclude.

The unit coordinator may seek to clarify aspects of your presentation through a short oral confirmation of learning discussion. Your response during this discussion will form part of your overall presentation for this assessment task.

Task Length:

Between 6-10 minutes. Strictly 10 minutes maximum

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Understanding of the relevant factual background/context	LO1, LO3
2	Understanding of relevant legal issues	LO1, LO3
3	Connection to themes in the unit	LO2
4	Presentation style and quality	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Assessment Task 4: Examination - invigilated

Task Description:

Two hour invigilated exam. Open book, with restricted materials.

Task Length:

2 hours

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Quality of argument: Grasp of key concepts & material; quality and sophistication of argument, analysis & synthesis; use of material to support argument.	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Presentation and style: Structure, referencing, grammar, expression, readability, attention to detail.	LO4

Assessment Task 4: Assessment Task 1: Test

Task Description:

Multiple choice/true-false & short answer test.

Task Length:

50 minutes

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Understanding of material covered in weeks 1 & 2	LO1

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.