Nov 23, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

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LS 297 - Environmental Law & Policy (SF)

Credits: 3

A unique law course taught by upper-level Maine Law students in a special program including law students at Maine, Harvard, Boston College, and Boston University teaching undergraduate students the breadth of structures and methods of the U.S. legal process, focused upon the legal doctrines of modern environmental law. The course covers the fundamental structure of the legal process, as it’s applied to climate change issues, pollution, environmental justice issues, and a range of other environmental issues. Specific topics to be covered include, but are not limited to: a study of torts (harm-based lawsuits) in the courts, focusing on the environmental torts of trespass and nuisance; an analysis of multiple environmental law statutory systems and how courts and administrative agencies apply them; international environmental law and efforts to mitigate climate change effects; and an examination of the power of private actors (i.e., individuals and corporations) as well as governments to change behavior in light of the climate crisis. Coursework will include legal analysis of scientific facts, legal strategies, issue-and-argument-spotting analyses and quizzes, and a final exam. Instructors: Mikala Bolmer & Hunter Donovan, Maine Law, coordinated by Zygmunt Plater, Boston College/UMaine Law and Maine Law Faculty. The course presumes zero prior knowledge of law and government issues.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course, the student will

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the structures, components, and doctrines of environmental protection law.
  • Articulate the interrelationships between environmental protection law and science, government, politics, economics, environmental injustice, and media.
  • Recognize that personal efforts play a role in the democratic governance of nation and planet.
  • Demonstrate understanding that there is a spectrum of possible conflicting arguments and problem-solving responses to complex problems.



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