Course Outline

LAW425 Environmental Law

Course Coordinator:Alex Pelizzon (apelizzon@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2025Semester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course introduces students to the way in which law engages with the non-human environment. Firstly, the course locates and reconceptualises ‘nature’ within the legal sphere, by focusing on the international emergence of an ecological jurisprudence. Students will then engage with environmental policies and regulations situated in diverse philosophical frameworks. Finally, the course will focus on the Australian environmental regulatory regime. 

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Online Learning Materials 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On-Campus Tutorial 2hrs Week 2 10 times
Online
Learning materials – Online Learning Materials 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Online Tutorial 2hrs Week 2 10 times

Course Topics

The course engages with critical and theoretical analyses of law and in relation to the contested idea of ‘nature’. Working through both practical and theoretical understandings of nature and the environment, this course examines the Australian legal framework through an analytical lens. In this course, you will learn:

  • Law and Nature – How do law and nature interact, and what are the crises and predicaments that face the environment? (Ecological Crises, Ideas of Law and Nature, Environmental Ethics, Wild Law)
  • Ecological Jurisprudence – How are law, society, and nature interconnected? (Ecological Jurisprudence, International Environmental Law, Australian Environmental Law)
  • Legal Frameworks – How does Australian law govern our interactions with nature? (Planning Law, Biodiversity Protection, Cultural Heritage, Pollution and Waste Management, Compliance and Enforcement)

What level is this course?

400 Level (Graduate)

Demonstrating coherence and breadth or depth of knowledge and skills. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Meeting professional requirements and AQF descriptors for the degree. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory or developing knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally undertaken in the third or fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Identify and explain the cultural, philosophical, political, social and historical contexts in which the ideas of ‘law’ and ‘nature’ are located. Knowledgeable
Empowered
2 Demonstrate an understanding of environmental ethical concerns in relation to environmental law and regulation. Knowledgeable
Ethical
Sustainability-focussed
3 Utilize critical thinking, analysis, and sound judgment to apply legal knowledge effectively in diverse contexts, generating appropriate and practical responses to complex problems and ethical issues. Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Ethical
4 Demonstrate effective, persuasive, and contextually appropriate written and oral communication. Empowered
5 Develop and demonstrate effective presentation skills, including proper referencing and citation techniques, to communicate legal information accurately and professionally. Empowered

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

(LAW100, LAW105 and LAW108) or (LAW102) OR (Successful completion of 96 units)

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

​​In addition to the oral and written feedback provided on the ‘Ecological Jurisprudence’ assessment task, formative feedback will be provided in the form of class discussion of the methods of analysis appropriate to environmental law during tutorials.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Written Piece Individual 50%
2000 words
Week 7 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Examination - Centrally Scheduled Individual 50%
3 hours
Exam Period Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Ecological Jurisprudence
Goal:
​​The goal of the ‘Ecological Jurisprudence’ written piece is to allow students to articulate an argument of their choice in relation to the intertwined ideas of ‘law’ and ‘nature’.​
Product: Written Piece
Format:
Written Piece
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Providing an explanation on an issue of their choice in relation to ecological jurisprudence
1 2
2
Critical analysis and evaluation of material, including evaluating and making judgements about the issue under analysis
3
3
Demonstration of advanced academic writing skills via use of accurate, appropriate and persuasive expression
4 5
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Examination
Goal:
The goal of the final exam is to allow students to evaluate and appraise a legal environmental problem in Australia.​
Product: Examination - Centrally Scheduled
Format:
Answers to unseen hypothetical problem questions
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Identification of relevant legal issues
1 2
2
Application of relevant legal principles
3
3
​Quality of writing, referencing, spelling, grammar and punctuation ​
4 5
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Recommended Alessandro Pelizzon 0 Ecological Jurisprudence n/a forthcoming
Required G Bates 0 Environmental Law in Australia, 11th Edition n/a n/a

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au