module specification

This module examines the key principles and topical aspects of environmental law within the context of human rights, ethics and social justice.

Parallels can often be drawn between the impact of key environmental concerns (such as climate change, pollution, deforestation and food shortages), with issues of equity and social justice in terms of certain groups within society who are disproportionately affected (e.g. cultural and geographical).

Students taking this module will explore the relationship between human rights and environmental law and the extent to which environmental issues give rise to inalienable human rights. These concepts and environmental law aspects will be considered from a North-South context as well as a domestic, regional and international perspective.

MODULE AIMS

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

• appreciate the relationship between environmental law and human rights;
• understand the framework of environmental law, principles and policy that shape the  subject;
• understand and appreciate the political and socio-economic impact on environmental concepts;
• critically analyse the scope and nature of key environmental issues as they relate to issues of human rights and social justice;
• understand the challenges of implementation and enforcement;
• have the opportunity to apply knowledge through a series of practical exercises;
• critically analyses the scope of human rights within the wider political and socio-economic context;
• awareness of contemporary issues relating to human rights and the criminal justice system;
• develop their ability to construct legal arguments.

No pre-requisites. Not available for Study Abroad.

Introduction

• Overview of human rights and environment social justice
• Environmental law and policy scope
• Environmental ethics and principles

Environmental issues including

• Climate change
• Pollution
• Sustainable development
• Environmental poverty
• Green governance and finance

Comparative review of social environmental inequality and the impact of human rights

Contemporary and topical issues in human rights and the environment.

Overview

Students will be taught by a combination of online lectures, interactive online seminars, one-to-one supervision, and self-study of a comprehensive module, with students encouraged to read from specified case law and legal journals. Students will be given the opportunity to discuss theoretical issues as well as practical problem solving.  Students will be supported in undertaking on-line research using electronic law databases and encouraged to use on line legal resources on a regular basis. There is a virtual learning environment containing handbooks, lecture notes, weblinks, discussion groups, study skills materials and assessment criteria. 

Experiential Learning

Students will be encouraged to respond to realistic case-studies relating to the sector, giving written legal opinions to clients in the style of a professional legal advisor. Students will also be able to participate in the extracurricular experiential learning offered within the Law School, including the Pro Bono Clinic and the Mooting Club.

Study Support

Students will have regular access to module tutors by email and by one-to-one video conferences to support their studies. They will also engage with one formative assessment for each module, which will be marked promptly with opportunities for feedback either by email or individual online discussion.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to do the following:

1. Comprehend and manage a substantial body of legal knowledge focused on human rights in relation to environmental social justice.
2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the topical environmental issues including climate change and sustainable development.
3. Understand approaches to human rights and environmental concepts and the factors influencing implementation and enforcement using contemporary case studies.
4. Research and manage legal information from paper and IT resources and present competent legal arguments in writing.
5. Synthesise relevant case law and statute, understand and present conflicting arguments and apply the law to problem scenarios relevant to all aspects of environmental law and human rights.

The module adopts the assessment strategy principles of GSBL which have been developed in the spirit of ESJ. These are:

1. The School is committed to ensuring that each student should not have more no more than 2 assessment points per 20 credit module.
2. We provide balanced forms of assessment, both in terms of its overall volume (measured in terms of assessment points and output required and the types used.
3. Group activities are part of the learning and teaching strategies but assessment is at the level of the individual. Thus, assessment focused on individual reflections and learning from participating in a group activity.
4. Flexibility/choice in assessment methods will be introduced wherever possible in order to facilitate different learning studies and support personalization

Assessment of the module will be by way of an online continuing report (such as a weblog) identifying contemporary issues relating to environmental law and human rights.

In line with our policy on facilitating formative feedback to students, the assessment strategy is designed to provide formative feedback on the assessment before it is due to be submitted.

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/945B2254-7C68-B6CB-E087-A8D989CDB361.html?lang=en-US&login=1