ENVIRONMENTAL LAW - 2020/1
Module code: ENGM061
In light of the Covid-19 pandemic the University revised its courses to incorporate the ‘Hybrid Learning Experience’ in a departure from previous academic years and previously published information. The University changed the delivery (and in some cases the content) of its programmes. Further information on the general principles of hybrid learning can be found at: Hybrid learning experience | University of Surrey.
We updated key module information regarding the pattern of assessment and overall student workload to inform student module choices. Further information on changes made to modules during the 2020/21 academic year can be found here: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/coronavirus/course-changes-old
Due to the volume of changes made during the 2020/21 academic year this means that some information within the programme and module catalogue had been amended. Please ensure that you are viewing your modules alongside the module changes page. If you have any queries you are invited to contact the relevant Programme Leader or Academic Hive with any questions relating to the information available.
Module Overview
The module provides study of the law relevant to environmental pollution.
Module provider
Centre for Environment & Sustainability
Module Leader
MALCOLM Rosalind (Schl of Law)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 7
JACs code: M200
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Workshop Hours: 16
Independent Learning Hours: 115
Lecture Hours: 19
Module Availability
Semester 2
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None
Module content
Indicative content includes:
- Regulatory frameworks for environmental law at UK, EU and international level.
- The civil courts: actions for damages
- Criminal procedures and actions (roles of evidence, expert evidence, prosecuting and defending environmental claims, court-room scenario)
- Enforcement and compliance (Environmental Liability Directive, water and waste laws)
- Substantive pollution laws in outline at EU level e.g. water law, waste law, atmospheric pollution, biodiversity law, land use planning and environmental impact assessment.
- Planning inquiries: practice and procedure, participative exercise.
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | ASSIGNMENT AT END OF MODULE | 100 |
Alternative Assessment
None
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate, in accordance with the Learning Outcomes, their acquired knowledge, critical awareness of the key principles and policies studied in this Module, their ability to evaluate and also to apply their acquired knowledge and critical awareness to the resolution of hypothetical legal problems.
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the way in which the legal system operates and how it deals with environmental pollution. Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of a selection of case study critiques of legal problems and analysis of legal principle.Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of coursework which will require the students to answer set questions. They will have choice within the coursework as to which questions to select.
Formative assessment and feedback
The module takes place over an intensive week with extensive opportunity for feedback during the week. Advance reading is set and discussion takes place before and after the intensive week via Surrey Learn and individual email contact. During the week small exercises are set for group discussion and feedback as preparation for the summative assessment
Module aims
- To provide an understanding and critical awareness of the foundational principles of the legal system related to the protection of the environment in context
- To identify and critically assess the framework of environmental law at UK, EU and international level
- To critically assess the law relating to protection of land, air, waste, water and wildlife and biodiversity
- To critically assess the role of law in solving problems of environmental pollution and in achieving compliance and enforcement.
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 1 | Understand the key characteristics of environmental law. | KC |
| 2 | Be able to handle complex problems of pollution of the environment involving corporate and private interests. | KCPT |
| 3 | Have critical awareness of the policy context for environmental law | CPT |
| 4 | Have critical understanding of the role of EU and international law in the operation of environmental law | KCPT |
| 5 | Demonstrate an ability to analyse and discuss in a reasoned and cogent manner the principles of environmental law | CT |
| 6 | Apply the principles of environmental law so as to be able to propose and evaluate alternative solutions to practical fact based problems | CPT |
| 7 | Be able to present legal information effectively, according to accepted practice and convention | CPT |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to provide through lectures (19 hours), court-room scenario exercises (3 hours), use of videos and films (2.5 hours), discussion seminars (4.5 hours), a debate (1 hour) and a mock planning inquiry (5 hours) an understanding of the way in which the legal system operates and how it deals with environmental pollution.
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENGM061
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Affairs MSc | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Corporate Environmental Management MSc | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Environmental Strategy MSc | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Sustainable Development MSc | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.