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Environ Law & Policy Syllabus

This document provides a tentative syllabus for an Environmental Law and Policy course to be taught in Spring 2013. It outlines the course goals, structure, assignments, grading policy and schedule. The course will introduce students to major environmental law doctrines through readings, discussions and simulations. Students will have the choice to complete a final exam or legal research memorandum. Topics to be covered include the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, cost-benefit analysis, hazardous waste law and the Endangered Species Act. The syllabus notes that the schedule and requirements may change during the semester.

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79 views

Environ Law & Policy Syllabus

This document provides a tentative syllabus for an Environmental Law and Policy course to be taught in Spring 2013. It outlines the course goals, structure, assignments, grading policy and schedule. The course will introduce students to major environmental law doctrines through readings, discussions and simulations. Students will have the choice to complete a final exam or legal research memorandum. Topics to be covered include the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, cost-benefit analysis, hazardous waste law and the Endangered Species Act. The syllabus notes that the schedule and requirements may change during the semester.

Uploaded by

ninavalerino1111
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Please note that this syllabus should be regarded as only a general guide to the course.

The instructor may have changed


specific course content and requirements subsequent to posting this syllabus. Last Modified: 09:36:41 01/13/2013
EnvironmentalLawandPolicy:UN256-05
(TentativeSyllabus)
Subjecttochangebasedonpaceorstudentinterest

Instructors:LauraKing&ChristinaValerino
Spring2013,Tuesday&Thursday4:305:45
OfficeHours:5:45to6:45everyThursday

ContactInfo:[email protected]
Ifyouhaveanyquestionsregardingthematerialoranyotherissueplease
contacttheteachersattheemailabove.

Description
Welcome to Environmental Law and Policy. The purpose of this course
is twofold: (1) to teach you the foundational concepts of the American
legal system, and (2) to expose you to the major doctrines of
environmental law. Environmental law seeks to address a broad range
of environmentalchallenges,includingthe overuse of shared resources
such as water and air; the pollution of those resources; the handling of
hazardous waste; species protection; land use planning; and the use of
federal public lands. This semester we will explore the basic legal
remedies of environmental law through landmark cases, making
connectionstocurrentissuesinallaspectsofenvironmentallaw.

RequiredText:
EnvironmentalLawandPolicy:Nature,Law,andSociety,4
th
Edition
(Plater,Abrams,Graham,Hall,Heinzerling,Wirth)

Additionalmaterialswillbeprovidedbytheinstructorsonthecourse
Blackboardwebsite.

GoalsfortheCourse:
1. Gainfamiliaritywiththestructuresanddoctrinesofthelegal
process.
2. Learnhowtoreadlegalcasesandstatuteswithaviewtoward
problemsolving.
3. Becomefamiliarwiththevarietyoflegalapproachesto
environmentalissuesinmajorcasesandstatuteswithin
environmentallaw.

Grading:
ClassParticipation,worth15%ofyourgrade
MockTrialPerformance,worth15%ofyourgrade
ShortPaperAssignments(4Total;2-3pageseach),30%ofyourgrade
(NOTE:FirstPaperAssignmentwillNOTbegraded.)
FinalExamORLegalResearchMemoranda(Yourchoice),40%ofyour
grade

PossibleWritingTopics(forLegalMemoranda)
NOTE:Ifyouhaveanareaofinterestoranideafeelfreetoproposethat
aswell.FinaltopicselectiondueFebruary31
st
.FinalPaperdueMay3
rd

bynoon.
1. What are the positive and negative effects (for the industry,
political implications etc oflistinggreenhousegasemissionsas
anairpollutantundertheCleanAirAct?
2. Why is there a lack of federal regulation regarding climate
control? States have picked up the slack. How has the U.S. (both
federal and state) response to climate control been similar
to/differentfromtheEUresponse?
3. What are the benefits and drawbacks of harm-based as opposed
to technology-based standards? Where have each of these
standardssucceeded?Failed?
4. Examine the pros/cons of a carbon tax and cap-and-trade
program. You may cite examples such as RGGI (New England
States anu Califoinias new cap-andtradeauction.
5. Which of the statutes we have studied best facilitate public
participation and/or community action? Which statutes make
publicparticipationdifficult?

Policies:
Attendance - This is a discussion-oriented class. Regular attendance is
expected. If you know you will be absent, please let one of the
instructorsknowbyemailinadvance.

Reading Assignment and Schedule of Class Discussion You will be


expectedtoreadandbriefthecasesforclass.Ifyouareunpreparedfor
aclass,pleasetelltheinstructorsbeforeclass.

LateWrittenAssignmentsOne+/-gradedownforeachdaylate.You
mustspeaktoaninstructorforextensionsinextenuating
circumstances.

AcademicHonesty-Acauemic uishonesty is uefineu anu explaineu by


the 0niveisity Acauemic Integiity Policy anu incluues but is not
limitedto,plagiarismandcheating.Pleasetakethetimetoread(orre-
read)thePolicyhere:
http://www.bc.edu/offices/stserv/academic/integrity.html.Any
questionsofacademicdishonestywillbeinvestigated,andifthe
instructorsultimatelydetermine,throughconsultationwiththestudent,
thatitislikelythatanacademicallydishonestacthasoccurred,thatwill
bereportedtotheclassdeanforfurtheraction.

Disabilities-Studentswithspecialinterests,ordisabilities,orother
requirementsshouldletusknowaboutthemearlyinthesemester.

ClassAssignments:

January15:IntroductiontoLawandtheLegalProcess:Tragedyofthe
Commons

ReadingAssignment:Noreadingassignment,butrefertopp.25-36.

January17:Publicv.PrivateNuisance

ReadingAssignment:pp.75-82(Boomeretal.v.AtlanticCement
Company)

January22:HowfarcanwetakePublic/PrivateNuisance?SolveGlobal
Problems?

ReadingAssignment:pp.90-109

January24:MockTrialWoburn

ReadingAssignment:Handout

January29:MockTrial-Woburn

ReadingAssignment:Handout

January31:DebriefofMockTrial;ACivilAction:Viewing

ReadingAssignment:Handout

February5:ACivilAction:ViewingandDiscussion

ReadingAssignment:Handout;ShortPaper#1Due

February7:IntroductiontoRegulatoryOptions:CleanAirActPartI

ReadingAssignment:pp.187-192;465-481

February12:CleanAirActPartII

ReadingAssignments:pp.482-487(Massv.EPA);handout(CAA
Highlights)

February14:CleanAirActPartIII

ReadingAssignment:CAASimulation
In-ClassAssignment:Simulation

February19:CleanAirActPartIV

ReadingAssignment:pp.498-516

February21:CleanWaterActPartI

ReadingAssignment:pp.187-192(review);pp.523-539

February26:CleanWaterActPartII

ReadingAssignment:pp.539-556

February28:CleanWaterActPartIII

ReadingAssignment:pp.556-570;ShortPaper#2Due

March5:SpringVacation

March7:SpringVacation

March12:Cost-BenefitAnalysis

ReadingAssignment:pp.575-589

March14:Market-EnlistingStrategiesPartI

ReadingAssignment:pp.607-629

March19:Market-EnlistingStrategiesPartII

ReadingAssignment:pp.629-646

March21:RemedialLiabilityRegulatoryStrategy:CERCLA

ReadingAssignment:pp.681-691;handout

March26:ControlofHazardousSubstances:RCRA

ReadingAssignment:pp.743-754;handout;ShortPaper#3Due

March28:NoClass/EasterWeekend

April2:NEPAPartI

ReadingAssignment:pp.319-327

April4:NEPAPartII

ReadingAssignment:pp.327-344

April9:PublicPlanningPartI

ReadingAssignment:pp.353-368

April11:PublicPlanningPartII

ReadingAssignment:handout
In-Class:speaker

April16:PublicPlanningPartIII

ReadingAssignment:pp.379-386

April18:PublicTrustDoctrinePartI

ReadingAssignment:pp.857-870;ShortPaper#4Due

April23:PublicTrustDoctrinePartII

ReadingAssignment:pp.870-889

April25:EndangeredSpeciesActPartI

ReadingAssignment:pp.425-443

April30:EndangeredSpeciesActPartII

ReadingAssignment:pp.443-459

May2:Review/PaperPresentations

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