Course Description
Introduction to international environmental law and policy, focusing on how international environmental regimes emerge, develop, and influence behavior. Selected case studies on topics such as acid rain, global warming, whaling, deforestation, and trade in endangered species.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate law students will not be doing any extra work beyond
that required of the Juris Doctor students. J.D. students are
post-baccalaureate students and the workload expected of them is
the same workload expected of post-baccalaureate graduate students.
Athena Title
INTL ENVIRON LAW
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
To introduce students to the complex processes by which international environmental norms are developed, implemented and enforced. Students will be introduced to basic legal, scientific, and policy concepts and tools, including transboundary externalities, the tragedy of the commons, cost-benefit analysis, and instrument choice.
Topical Outline
1. The Sources of International Environmental Law 2. The Development of International Environmental Law 3. Transboundary Pollution (e.g., acid rain) 4. Pollution of the Global Commons (e.g, oil pollution, ozone depletion, global warming) 5. International Protection of Natural Resources (e.g., wetlands, forests, biodiversity) 6. Sustainable Development 7. Trade and Environment