LGS 225 - Environmental Law and Policy

3 credit hours - Three hours weekly; one term.
Understand the practical balance between environmental laws, policies and societal values and how environmental protections are often a dynamic fusion of these factors. Learn the differences between environmental laws and policies and discuss and debate how applicable case laws, statutes, administrative agency rules and regulations impact national, state and local issues affecting the environment. Gain insight into how core legal principles interplay with policy considerations and case law coupled with local statutes form an interlacing framework of policies and legal protections that ultimately determine, influence and define the “environment” as we know it. Lab fee $5.

Prerequisite(s): Eligibility for ENG 101 /ENG 101A .

Note: This course is not considered a legal specialty course for the purpose of earning legal specialty credits in the Paralegal Studies program. However, it may be applied as a general elective in the Paralegal Studies degree program as noted in the program description. Please consult with an adviser before registering for this course.

Course Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Identify the differences between environmental laws and policies.
Explain basic legal terminology and concepts.
Explain how to brief a case.
Describe legal citation and research techniques and resources.
Identify public trust doctrine, land use and constitutional protections.
Identify the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and NEPA.
Describe environmental torts and nuisance.