Key facts
UNE unit code: GEPL535
*You are viewing the 2025 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 2 - On Campus
- Trimester 2 - Online
- Armidale Campus
- Yes
- No
- No
- 6
Unit information
This unit is an exploration of environmental and planning law for non-law students.
In the unit you will learn about the different levels of government and a wide range of issues that affect environmental planning. These include: environmental planning and assessment, native title, ecologically sustainable development, pollution control, the court system, corruption commissions and alternative dispute resolution. You will also learn about the Constitution, statutory interpretation, administrative law, regulatory theory, ethics and criminal and civil liability.
You will investigate the interaction between the law, the environment, society and other social institutions and examine the efficacy of the law. You must have access to the internet to engage fully with the material.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
Teaching period | Mode/location |
---|---|
Trimester 2 | On Campus, Armidale Campus |
Trimester 2 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- demonstrate a critical understanding of the Australian legal system and the legal framework of environmental and planning law and administration, including the Constitution and the court system, legal processes and doctrines such as statutory interpretation, precedent, native title, and the way power is distributed between the different arms of government
- demonstrate a comparative and critical understanding of legal approaches to development control, environmental assessment, ecologically sustainable development, pollution control, ethical conduct in the context of administrative decision-making, and dispute resolution in relation to the administration of planning law, including the role of the public, civil and criminal actions and remedies, corruption commissions and alternative dispute resolution;
- demonstrate a critical understanding of, and apply this understanding to critically evaluate, legal approaches to environmental and planning issues and the consequences for the environment, society and the law itself, including social, ethical, environmental and economic considerations;
- demonstrate an understanding of the nature of the legal system and the mechanism of the law as a tool of social control and behavioural change;
- demonstrate advanced problem solving abilities, analytical capacities and research, report writing, group participation, communication and critical thinking skills; and
- demonstrate an enduring curiosity and high capacity for continuing engagement in the field.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Assignment 1 | Yes | 20% | All offerings | Written assignment No. Words: 1500 |
Assignment 2 | Yes | 20% | All offerings | Written assignment that must be posted online for jurisdictional comparison No. Words: 1500 |
Assignment 3 | Yes | 20% | All offerings | Written assignment No. Words: 1000 |
Take Home Exam | Yes | 40% | All offerings |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Environmental Law in Australia
ISBN: 9780409357097
G.Bates, Lexis Nexis Australia 11th ed. 2023
Text refers to: All offerings
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