851-0735-11L  Environmental Regulation: Law and Policy

SemesterSpring Semester 2021
LecturersJ. van Zeben
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish
CommentNumber of participants limited to 20.

Particularly suitable for students of D-USYS



Courses

NumberTitleHoursLecturers
851-0735-11 SEnvironmental Regulation: Law and Policy
Block course on 22 January, 25 January and 27 January. Two sessions each day from 10 AM - 12 PM and 2-4 PM.
12s hrs
22.01.10:15-16:00IFW E 42 »
25.01.10:15-16:00IFW E 42 »
27.01.10:15-16:00IFW E 42 »
J. van Zeben

Catalogue data

AbstractThe aim of this course is to make students with a technical scientific background aware of the legal and political context of environmental policy in order to place technical solutions in their regulatory context.
ObjectiveThe aim of this course is to equip students with a legal and regulatory skill-set that allows them to translate their technical knowledge into a policy brief directed at legally trained regulators. More generally, it aims to inform students with a technical scientific background of the legal and political context of environmental policy. The focus of the course will be on international and European issues and regulatory frameworks - where relevant, the position of Switzerland within these international networks will also be discussed.
ContentTopics covered in lectures:

(1) Environmental Regulation
a. Perspectives
b. Regulatory Challenges of Environment Problems
c. Regulatory Tools
(2) Law: International, European and national laws
a. International law
b. European law
c. National law
(3) Policy: Case studies

Assessment:
(i) Class participation (25%): Students will be expected to contribute to class discussions and prepare short memos on class readings.
(ii) Exam (75%) consisting of two parts:
a. Policy brief - a maximum of 2 pages (including graphs and tables);
b. Background document to the policy brief - this document sets out a more detailed and academic overview of the topic (maximum 8 pages including graphs and tables);
Lecture notesThe course is taught as an interactive seminar and in-class participation is expected from the students. Participation will be capped at 20 in order to maintain the interactive nature of the classes.

All classes, readings, and assignments, are in English.

Teaching will take place over three days in January.
LiteratureThe book for this course is van Zeben and Rowell, A Guide to EU Environmental Law, University of California Press, 2020 - available via Link.

Electronic copy of remaining readings will be provided to the students at no cost before the start of the lectures.
Prerequisites / NoticeNo specific pre-existing legal knowledge is required, however all students must have successfully completed Grundzüge des Rechts (851-0708-00 V) or an equivalent course.

The course is (inter)related to materials discussed in Politikwissenschaft: Grundlagen (851-0577-00 V), Ressourcen- und Umweltökonomie (751-1551-00 V), Umweltrecht: Konzepte und Rechtsgebiete (851-0705-01 V), Rechtlicher Umgang mit natürlichen Ressourcen (701-0743-01 V), Environmental Governance (701-1651-00 G), Policy and Economics of Ecosystem Services (701-1653-00 G), International Environmental Politics: Part I (851-0594-00 V).

Performance assessment

Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course
ECTS credits3 credits
ExaminersJ. van Zeben
Typegraded semester performance
Language of examinationEnglish
RepetitionRepetition only possible after re-enrolling for the course unit.
Additional information on mode of examinationAssessment:
(i) Class participation (25%): Students will be expected to attend and contribute to class discussions and prepare short memos on class readings.
(ii) Exam (75%) consisting of two parts:
a. Policy brief - a maximum of 2 pages (excluding graphs and tables);
b. Background document to the policy brief - this document sets out a more detailed and academic overview of the topic (maximum 8 pages including graphs and tables)

Learning materials

No public learning materials available.
Only public learning materials are listed.

Groups

No information on groups available.

Restrictions

Places20 at the most
PriorityRegistration for the course unit is until 20.01.2021 only possible for the primary target group
Primary target groupEnvironmental Sciences MSc (736000)
Waiting listuntil 26.01.2021

Offered in

ProgrammeSectionType
GESS Science in PerspectiveLawWInformation
GESS Science in PerspectiveD-USYSWInformation
Integrated Building Systems MasterGESS Science in PerspectiveWInformation
Science, Technology, and Policy MasterUrbanization and PlanningWInformation
Environmental Sciences MasterTheoretical Foundations for Environmental PolicyWInformation
Environmental Sciences MasterPolicy EngagementWInformation
Environmental Sciences MasterDecision Making, Policy and PlanningWInformation