559 Environmental Law (Jefferies)

LAW559

Environmental Law

(Jefferies)

Prerequisite courses: 

Prerequisite for:

Instructor(s): Professor Cameron Jefferies

Course credit: 3

Method of presentation: Lecture

METHOD OF EVALUATION

The primary method of evaluation in this course is an examination worth 75% of the Grade. Examination will be OPEN BOOK and will be a combination of multiple choice, short answer, hypothetical and essay-type questions. In addition, there is a 25% open book mid-term quiz (optional and fail-safe).

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course focuses on current and proposed Canadian legal models and policies designed to control air, land and water pollution and the conservation of places/species. It will introduce the justifications for regulation and will examine the merits and limits of traditional environmental law models – common law, regulatory statutes, criminal and administrative sanctions, environmental impact assessment – as well as the emerging use of alternative approaches, such as economic incentives, and environmental bills of rights. 

The course will also assist students to understand the complex jurisdictional issues faced by environmental practitioners in determining the extent to which federal and provincial governments have jurisdiction over particular environmental matters. Additionally, it will have a particular focus on the principle of sustainability and the implementation of its ancillary principles, including: the precautionary approach; ecosystem-based management; science-based decision making; and transparency/public participation.

International environmental issues are examined in Law 593.

SPECIAL COMMENTS

Professor Jefferies reserves the right to alter the method of evaluation and/or required texts prior to its commencement. Please contact Professor Jefferies at cameronj@ualberta.ca with any specific questions you may have related to this particular course section.

Description updated 2019-20.

REQUIRED TEXTS (IF ANY)

Subject to new textbook adoption.