GENERAL COURSE OBJECTIVES

   The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the legal system and regulatory policies governing the environment and natural resources in Canada. The course will begin by looking at the basic concepts, issues, challenges, and debates related to the study of environmental law. This includes the domestic legal institutions and frameworks, as well as the main legal approaches embedded in case studies, while providing students with some analytical tools that will expand and enhance their understanding in this field of study. While this course will give students a thorough grounding in the theories, institutions, structures and rules of environmental law, it is an introductory course and does not aim to cover the full breadth of issues that arise in environmental law, or cover any topic in full depth. 

SPECIFIC COURSE OBJECTIVES

  

By the end of the course, students will be able to describe the main components of the regulatory system that governs the environment in the Canadian Legal System and will be able to:

1. Explore the role of environmental law in the Canadian legal system.
2. Identify, summarize, and evaluate the fundamental questions and debates related to the legal issues concerning environmental problems.
3. Examine the conceptual and empirical tools available to frame discussions of complex issues related to environmental matters in the contemporary world.
4. Carry out a critical and integrated analysis of different key case studies.
5. Describe different mechanisms (norms, entities, institutions, etc) that are necessary to further the aims of environmental law.
6. Examine theories and legal approaches to environment case law and apply these to a wide range of problems arising in the field of environmental regulations.
7. Design creative strategies based on the different legal instruments and tools available to find solutions for environmental issues. 
8. Appreciate the role and function of environmental regulatory and assessment laws.