This is an intensive course offered on an annual basis. The course will be delivered from 11-15 September and 6-10 November 2017.
All aspects of environmental, natural and cultural resource management are shaped by the law in some way. The law is used to define how, and by whom decisions that impact upon the environment are made.?Law imposes obligations upon individuals, institutions and governments. It is used to determine who is, or is not accountable for environmental decisions and their consequences. The law can be used to bring the resources of the state to permit or prohibit actions and allow choices whether they benefit or harm the environment.
This course offers environmental science, management and policy students an introduction to the workings of the Australian legal system and how the law and relevant institutions are used to affect environmental decision making.
While introducing students to key environmental legislation it explores how law is shaped by those with vested interests in the outcome and how law is applied, or ignored, in environmental decision making. You will gain a critical understanding of the law and its role in environmental decision making.
The course also explores the role of international environmental law and how it plays a role in domestic environmental decision making.
The course will be based around lectures, group discussions of reading, and the review of videos.
Note: This course is co-taught with undergraduate students but assessed separately.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Explain the distinct roles of parliaments, courts, and the executive in the Australian legal system, and delineate the separation of responsibilities between the Commonwealth, States, and Territories in the Australian federation.
- Evaluate key environmental legislation across various jurisdictions, analysing the role of their institutions in the development and enforcement of environmental law.
- Critically examine the role of law as a factor in environmental decision making in different jurisdictions and contexts.
- Examine the role of international environmental law and critically evaluate the application of it on domestic legislation and case law.
- Critically consider and discuss contemporary environmental law issues in Australia
Indicative Assessment
- Week 1 Quiz (20) [LO 1,2,3]
- Presentation/participation in class discussion (5) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Legislation/case review presentation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Seminar presentation and contribution to discussion (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Research report (55) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- Face-to-face component consisting of 72 hours of contact delivered intensively over 9 days comprising: lectures and tutorials;
- 58 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
The course requires a considerable amount of reading. Readings will be set before each lecture and students will be expected to engage in discussions after each lecture.
Inherent Requirements
To be determined
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Readings will be provided online via Learning Management System.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4980 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $6720 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Winter Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6204 | 07 Jul 2025 | 18 Jul 2025 | 18 Jul 2025 | 18 Aug 2025 | In Person | N/A |