Unit Outline

Addressing some of the most important issues for humanity and the future of our planet, this unit is suitable for both law and non-law students. This foundational unit, as a basis for more advanced study in the field, introduces the major environmental problems that the law is expected to address, focusing on environmental law and policy at the Commonwealth level and some reference to Tasmania as an example of State-level responses to environmental issues. The unit’s core themes are: 1) why does environmental law exist (what problems does it respond to and what ideas and philosophies shape that response); 2) who are the key actors in environmental law (e.g. states, corporations and the general public); 3) where does environmental law come from (e.g. common law, public legislation and international law); 4) how is environmental law implemented (e.g., regulation, economic instruments). The unit concludes with case studies (eg climate change and nature conservation) offering more in-depth analysis of the main themes of the syllabus.

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 the architecture of Australian environmental law, including the key sources, goals, actors and tools and the guiding policies, philosophies and principles of environmental law in Australia.
2	Critique the principles in light of the difficulties faced by decision-makers in implementing these principles.
3	Apply this knowledge of environmental law to different scenarios including climate change and biodiversity conservation.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	50 credit points of Introductory units - to do this unit it is recommended that you have completed LAW107
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	LAW641

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:	Mid-semester test	Week 7	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Tutorial participation (weekly)	Refer to Assessment Description	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Final exam	Exam Period	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Mid-semester test

Task Description:

Mid-semester test

Task Length:

1 hour duration

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Essay	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 2: Tutorial participation (weekly)

Task Description:

Tutorial participation (weekly)

Task Length:

Weekly

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Participation	LO1, LO2, LO3

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.