International Environmental Law
Course Information
- Course Number
- L6040
- Curriculum Level
- Upperclass
- Areas of Study
- Environmental Law
- Type
- Lecture
Section 001 Information
Instructor
Section Description
The course will survey the basics of international environmental law. After a grounding in the history and foundational concepts of international environmental law, students will explore competing policy shapers and the relevant treaties and other international legal documents in the areas of stratospheric ozone protection (Montreal Protocol), climate change (UNFCCC; Kyoto Protocol; Paris Agreement), chemicals and waste management (Stockholm Convention; Rotterdam Convention; Basel Convention on Transboundary Movement of Wastes), and biodiversity protection (Biodiversity Convention). Unique aspects of such treaties, including differentiated treatment of various parties and design features that take account of evolving scientific knowledge, will be among the themes examined. Students will be graded based on a final exam. Meaningful class participation will also be taken into account in the final grade.
- School Year & Semester
- Spring 2024
- Location
- JGH 102a
- Schedule
-
Class meets on
- Wednesday
- Points
- 2
- Method of Evaluation
- Exam
- J.D Writing Credit?
- Minor (automatic)
Learning Outcomes
- Primary
-
- The course will provide students with an understanding of the history of the development of international environmental law, including the relevant multinational conferences (e.g., Stockholm Conference; Rio Conference; Rio + 20).
- The course will provide students with an understanding of the development and importance of "soft law" documents relevant to international environmental law (e.g., Stockholm Declaration; Rio Declaration; Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)).
- The course will provide students with an understanding of how international environmental agreements are designed, negotiated, and implemented, including how economic, environmental, social, and cultural values factor into their design, negotiation, and implementation.
- The course will provide students with an understanding of, and a facility with, the substantive body of international law that applies to stratospheric ozone protection, climate change, chemicals and waste management, and biodiversity protection.
- The course will strengthen students' ability to understand, interpret, and react to future developments in the international environmental legal arena.
Course Limitations
- Instructor Pre-requisites
- None
- Instructor Co-Requisites
- None
- Recommended Courses
- None
- Other Limitations
- None