Three assessment methods will be used to assess students’
achievements: 1) Attendance, in-class participation and engagement; 2) research
assignment/Case study; 3) Final take-home exam. All reading lists and documents
will be available on the university’s virtual campus, while most case studies
will be available online or at the docUcentre for a small fee. The Professor will
also provide a few printed handouts.
1) Attendance and in-class participation/engagement (individual grade):
. Class attendance is necessary to be
successful in this course.
. Participation will include a
summary/commentary in class of selected reading materials chosen by the student.
Students should come prepared for class and participate in class. The Professor
expects the class to actively participate in discussions and make comments on reading
materials & bibliography, respond to questions, be able to work together and
do collaborative practical activities in class (i.e. UN simulation)
. One written summary should be sent by
email ndordell@uottawa.ca. Due date: September 29, 2015.
. 20% of the final grade.
2) Research Paper Assignment (Case Brief):
Individual grade -Carry out critical and integrated analysis of a selected environment
case study or legal case chosen by the student. Students will choose an issue or subject and
will then select a legal case covering the same subject and examine/discuss how
the issue or subject has been treated nationally or internationally.
. Oral:
5 minutes student presentation
.Written Paper: Only printed copies will
be accepted. Maximum 10
pages (12-point, double spaced).
. Due date: Students
should hand in written papers the same day of his/her oral presentation. Date TBD Due date: October 6th to November
26, 2015.
. 40% of the final grade
The course includes critical and integrated analysis of different key
case studies
and group discussions in order to cover both the theory and practice. This
course examines broad themes in several distinct areas of environmental issues,
including the regulatory regime, the protection of environmental rights,
challenges and policies in the environmental assessment process and the international
framework.
Case law provides analytical tools that will
expand and enhance students’ understanding in this field of study. Case briefs are a necessary study aid for the course that serves to
help students understand how the law deals with the environment. In short, case
analysis will help students to analyze the mass of material that they must
digest in this course. In addition to its function as a
tool for self-instruction and referencing, case briefs also provide a valuable
source for class participation.
Students will research, summarize, and evaluate issues regarding
environmental law. The following elements of must be examined:
(a) Statement of the Issue or Issues (what is in dispute)
(b) The Law – Holding (the applied rule of law)
(c) Fact Situation – Factual Background (name of the case and its
parties, what happened factually and procedurally, and the judgment)
(d) Application of the
law to the fact situation and statement of the outcome: Outcome of the Case and
Rationale (reasons for the holding)
(e) Dicta (commentary about the
decision that was not the basis for the decision) – Other possible outcomes of
the case and why the specific fact situation may lead to these other outcomes.
(f) Dissent (if a
valuable dissenting opinion exists, the dissent’s opinion) and you may also
want to consider including: The Parties’ Arguments (each party’s opposing
argument concerning the ultimate issue).
(g) Comments (personal commentary)
Analysis/Opinions on the fundamental legal nature of the conflict, human
rights issue(s) involved and what the law should be (one opinion). Discuss the role and function of
international law in the world today. Identify, summarize, and evaluate the
fundamental questions and debates relating to the legal issue(s) and different
mechanisms (norms, entities, institutions, etc) that are necessary to further
the aims of international law.
Note: Students should come prepared for class and participate in class.
3) Take-home Exam (individual grade):
December 1st, 2015.
. Maximum: 10 pages (12-point, double-spaced)
. Only printed copies will be accepted
. Due date: December 8th, 2015.
. 40% of the final grade
. Specific Questions and
Instructions for Final Take Home Exam will be provided by the Professor on
December 1st, 2015. Due date:
December 8th, 2015
In order to appreciate the role and
function of Environmental Law, students will develop their own perspective on
the multi-faceted nature of this field to apply leading principles, concepts
and theories relevant to environmental issues.
Students will undertake a
strategic and methodological approach to understanding and researching an
environmental law problem by drafting an innovative policy or piece of legislation
within the common law principles in the matter of environmental protection,
(compliance, enforcement and liability for harming the environment), environmental
rights, public participation, the role of the corporation, and environmental
assessment
