Kubasek, N. K., & Silverman, G. S. (2011). Environmental law (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

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1 BEM 3001, Environmental Law Course Syllabus Course Description Study of environmental law through an understanding of pollutants and governmental regulations. Examines the American Legal System, Environmental Protection Agency, and other agencies that regulate environmental policy. Course Textbook Kubasek, N. K., & Silverman, G. S. (2011). Environmental law (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Course Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students should be able to: 1. Discuss the U.S. legal system, its origins and classifications, the steps in the legislative process, and the roles of the legislative, judicial, and executive branch as sources of law. 2. Describe how the U.S. dual court system is structured and functions, along with the steps in civil litigation including alternatives to litigation. 3. Explain how the administrative law system functions and its impact on environmental policy and regulations. 4. Separate and describe the complexity of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), its goals, authority, and policy setting responsibilities. 5. Summarize other Federal agencies and offices, beside the EPA, that affect or regulate environmental policy and issues. 6. Analyze significant major air pollutants and their control through the Clean Air Act. 7. Discuss the impact on clean air quality through regulatory programs such as NAAQSs, SIP, NSD, New Source Review, Mobile Source Performance Standards, Air Toxics Program, and the Clean Skies Initiative. 8. Describe the effects to the environment of the major water quality pollutants and their control through the Clean Water Act, the Water Quality Control Act, and the Oil Pollution Act. 9. Assess the permitting authority and process of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System and Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations. 10. Explain the wide variety of environmental laws regulating toxic substances. 11. Define hazardous waste and discuss its management under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). 12. Describe the National Energy Strategy and the Energy Policy Act of Recommend methods to protect important natural resources with special emphasis on public lands, coastal areas, wetlands, and the protection of plant and animal species. 14. Outline the problems with coal, petroleum, natural gas, and nuclear power as sources of our energy supply. 15. Identify the main sources of renewable fuels available for our nations' energy demands. 16. Analyze the difference between conventional and customary international environmental law along with the institutions that effectuate and influence these laws. Credits Upon completion of this course, the students will earn three (3) hours of college credit. BEM 3001, Environmental Law 1

2 Course Structure 1. Unit Learning Outcomes: Each unit contains Unit Learning Outcomes that specify the measurable skills and knowledge students should gain upon completion of the unit. 2. Unit Lessons: Each unit contains a Unit Lesson, which discusses lesson material. 3. Reading Assignments: Each unit contains Reading Assignments from one or more chapters from the textbook. Supplemental Readings are provided in Units I-VII to aid students in their course of study. 4. Key Terms: Key Terms are intended to guide students in their course of study. Students should pay particular attention to Key Terms as they represent important concepts within the unit material and reading. 5. Discussion Boards: Discussion Boards are a part of all CSU term courses. Information and specifications regarding these assignments are provided in the Course Policies. 6. Units Assessments: This course contains seven Unit Assessments, one to be completed at the end of Units I-VII. 7. Unit Assignments: Students are required to submit for grading Unit Assignments in Units III, VI, VII, and VIII. Specific information and instructions regarding these assignments are provided below. Grading rubrics are included with the Unit III, VI, VII, and VIII Assignments. Specific information about accessing these rubrics is provided below. 8. Final Exam (Proctored): Students are to complete a Final Exam in Unit VIII. All Final Exams are proctored see below for additional information. You are permitted four (4) hours to complete this exam, in the presence of your approved proctor. This is an open book exam. Only course textbooks and a calculator, if necessary, are allowed when taking proctored exams. The Final Exam is composed of multiple-choice questions. 9. Ask the Professor: This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or course content related questions. 10. Student Break Room: This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates. CSU Online Library There is a virtual library with resources, including both journals and ebooks, to support your program and your course at Columbia Southern University. eresources are accessible 24 hours a day/7 days a week from the CSU Online Library gateway page. To access the library, log into mycsu, and then click on CSU Online Library. Resources are organized in the library by title, but if you click on Research Guides, you will find eresources arranged by subject. The Library Reference service is available 7 days a week; you can reach CSU s virtual librarians by ing thevirtuallibrarian@columbiasouthern.edu. These professional librarians will be glad to help you develop your research plan or to assist you in any way in finding relevant, appropriate, and timely information. Librarian responses may occur within minutes or hours, but it will never take more than 24 hours for a librarian to send a response to the address you have provided. Replies to reference requests may include customized keyword search strategies, links to videos, research guides, screen captures, attachments, a phone call, live screen sharing, meeting room appointments, and other forms of instruction. Unit Assignments Unit III Case Study Choose one of the following Case Study options for this assignment. Evaluate each assumption you make within your reasoning, and identify and evaluate the evidence. The Case Study should be thoroughly discussed in a minimum two-page paper based upon your readings (not including the title page and reference page). Any outside sources used to support your statements should be appropriately cited using APA style. Assignment 1 Option: Read the Case Study presented on pages 196 to 197 of the textbook, and answer the following 1. Should the EPA follow California s lead and adopt higher emission standards for minivans, SUVs, and similar vehicles? 2. What reasoning can you provide for the adoption of such a standard? 3. What possible reasoning can you see against adopting these standards? Assignment 2 Option: Read the Case Study presented on pages 238 to 239 of the textbook, and answer the following BEM 3001, Environmental Law 2

3 1. The cost of removing chemicals at one part per billion is very costly what would you do and why? 2. What responsibility do you have? How careful are you with what you flush or send down the sink or shower drain? 3. What are the consequences of buying water in bottles? Is it really better for you? What happens to all of those plastic bottles? How much oil is used to make the plastic bottles? Assignment 3 Option: Read the Case Study presented on pages 239 to 240 of the textbook, and answer the following 1. How much are you willing to pay in taxes to provide more environmental protections? Why? 2. Should the federal government force states and municipalities to clean up their sewer systems? Who should pay? 3. What are the value conflicts inherent in these questions, and what value assumptions do you make in giving your answer? Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below. Unit VI Case Study Choose one of the following Case Study options for this assignment. Evaluate each assumption you make within your reasoning, and identify and evaluate the evidence. The Case Study should be thoroughly discussed in a minimum two-page paper based upon your readings (not including the title page and reference page). Any outside sources used to support your statements should be appropriately cited using APA style. Assignment 1 Option: Read the Case Study presented on pages 352 to 353 of the textbook, and answer the following 1. Should alternative fuel be funded by the government? Based upon your readings, provide three reasons for or against this scenario, and discuss them thoroughly. 2. Identify and discuss any fallacies that may occur in your reasoning. How might you defend your stance in a debate? 3. What are some available sources of renewable energy that could meet our nation s energy demands? Assignment 2 Option: Read the Case Study presented on pages 387 to 388 of the textbook, and answer the following 1. Should the government take away the endangered species protection of grey wolves? Why, or why not? Based on your readings, provide two reasons for or against this scenario, and discuss them thoroughly. 2. Identify any assumptions the author may have made in the Case Study, and discuss whether these assumptions can be considered fallacies. 3. What information could be added to this Case Study to help you make your decision? Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below. Unit VII Case Study Read the Case Study presented on pages 432 to 433 of the textbook. Read both sides of the argument ( Amend the WTO and Process and Production Methods Cannot be Regulated ). After you have read the Case Study, answer the following 1. Should the WTO be amended to address the concerns of environmentalists? 2. Should process and production methods (PPMs) be regulated? 3. What are some fallacies within the Case Studies that you recognize? What further information could be provided to help you make your decision? Make sure you provide reasoning within your argument. The Case Study should be thoroughly discussed in a minimum two-page paper based upon your readings (not including the title page and reference page). Any outside sources used to support your statements should be appropriately cited using APA style. Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below. BEM 3001, Environmental Law 3

4 Unit VIII Case Study For this assignment, you are to evaluate the REDD+ through agricultural expansion, which greatly impacts the environment and international laws relating to the environment. To prepare this assignment, use the Internet to research more information on REDD+. You are also encouraged to read Chapters 10 and 11 from the textbook and additional professional reference sources to support your discussion. (Please note that Wikipedia is not an acceptable reference source for academic papers.) The first part of the evaluation assignment must describe the REDD+ Program and how deforestation has an impact on climate regulations. Define some of the key challenges of the program and how governments around the world are developing more laws in order to govern the strategies involving REDD+. For the second part of the evaluation, evaluate how international laws such as the Kyoto Protocol have been put into action in order to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which in turn affect deforestation. You will also need to discuss how the REDD+ Program attempts to achieve its environmental goals through its initiatives to change international environmental laws through the success of the REDD+ Program. The completed assignment must be a minimum of three pages in length, not including the title page and reference list. Any outside sources used to support your statements should be appropriately cited using APA style. Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below. Submitting Course Papers/Projects Once you have completed your papers/projects, submit your completed papers/projects by uploading through the view/complete link under the Assignment tab in each unit. Do not your paper directly to your professor. By using the Assignment tab, your university record will automatically be updated to indicate you have submitted your papers/projects and the assignment will be provided to your professor for grading. Instructions for submitting your assignment can be found under the Assignment tab in each unit. APA Guidelines CSU requires that students use the APA style for papers and projects. Therefore, the APA rules for formatting, quoting, paraphrasing, citing, and listing of sources are to be followed. A document titled APA Guide is available for you to download from the APA Guide link, found in the Learning Resources area of the mycsu Student Portal. It may also be accessed from the Student Resources link on the Course Menu. This document includes examples and sample papers and provides links to The CSU Success Center and the CSU Online Library staff. Blackboard Grading Rubrics Assignment Rubrics One or more assignments in this course utilizes a Blackboard Grading Rubric. A rubric is a tool that lists evaluation criteria and can help you organize your efforts to meet the requirements of an assignment. Your professor will use the Blackboard Grading Rubric to assign points and provide feedback for the assignment. You are encouraged to view the assignment rubric before submitting your work. This will allow you to review the evaluation criteria as you prepare your assignments. You may access the rubric in My Grades through the Tools button in your course menu. Click the View Rubric link to see the evaluation criteria for the assignment. Upon receiving your assignment grade, you may view your grade breakdown and feedback in the rubric. CSU Grading Rubrics for Papers/Projects, Discussion Boards, and Assessments The Learning Resource area of the mycsu Student Portal provides the rubrics, and information on how to use them, for Discussion Boards, written response questions in Unit Assessments, and Research Papers/Projects. The course writing assignments will be graded based on the CSU Grading Rubric for all types of writing assignments, unless otherwise specified within assignment instructions. In addition, all papers will be submitted for electronic evaluation to rule out plagiarism. Course projects will contain project specific grading criteria defined in the project directions. BEM 3001, Environmental Law 4

5 To view the rubrics, click the Academic Policies link on the Course Menu, or access it through the CSU Grading Rubric link found in the Learning Resources area of the mycsu Student Portal. Final Examination Guidelines Final Exams are to be administered to students by an approved Proctor. CSU approves two, flexible proctoring options: a standard Proctor, who is chosen by the student and approved by the university, or Remote Proctor Now (RP Now), an ondemand, third-party testing service that proctors examinations for a small fee. Students choosing RP Now must have an operational webcam/video with audio, a high-speed Internet connection, and the appropriate system rights required to download and install software. To review the complete Examination Proctor Policy, including a list of acceptable Proctors, Proctor responsibilities, Proctor approval procedures, and the Proctor Agreement Form, go to the mycsu Student Portal from the link below. You are permitted four (4) hours to complete this exam, in the presence of your approved Proctor. This is an open book exam. Only course textbooks, writing utensil, and a calculator, if necessary, are allowed when taking proctored exams. You may use only your textbook as source material for your response. All source material must be referenced (paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations). You may use the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA Style Guide) or the CSU Citation Guide for reference. Communication Forums These are non-graded discussion forums that allow you to communicate with your professor and other students. Participation in these discussion forums is encouraged, but not required. You can access these forums with the buttons in the Course Menu. Instructions for subscribing/unsubscribing to these forums are provided below. Click here for instructions on how to subscribe/unsubscribe and post to the Communication Forums. Ask the Professor This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or course content questions. Questions may focus on Blackboard locations of online course components, textbook or course content elaboration, additional guidance on assessment requirements, or general advice from other students. Questions that are specific in nature, such as inquiries regarding assessment/assignment grades or personal accommodation requests, are NOT to be posted on this forum. If you have questions, comments, or concerns of a nonpublic nature, please feel free to your professor. Responses to your post will be addressed or ed by the professor within 48 hours. Before posting, please ensure that you have read all relevant course documentation, including the syllabus, assessment/assignment instructions, faculty feedback, and other important information. Student Break Room This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates. Communication on this forum should always maintain a standard of appropriateness and respect for your fellow classmates. This forum should NOT be used to share assessment answers Grading Discussion Boards 2%) = 16% Unit Assessments 7%) = 49% Case Studies 6%) = 24% Final Exam = 11% Total = 100% BEM 3001, Environmental Law 5

6 Course Schedule/Checklist (PLEASE PRINT) The following pages contain a printable Course Schedule to assist you through this course. By following this schedule, you will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted. BEM 3001, Environmental Law 6

7 BEM 3001, Environmental Law Course Schedule By following this schedule, you will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted. Please keep this schedule for reference as you progress through your course. Unit I The American Legal System and the Litigation Process Chapter 1: The American Legal System: The Source of Environmental Law Chapter 2: The Litigation Process and Other Tools for Resolving Environmental Disputes Unit II Administrative Law, and Environmental Law and Policy Chapter 3: Administrative Law and Its Impact on the Environment Chapter 4: An Introduction to Environmental Law and Policy Proctor Approval Form Unit III Air and Water Quality Chapter 5: Air-Quality Control Chapter 6: Water-Quality Control Case Study by Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time BEM 3001, Environmental Law 7

8 BEM 3001, Environmental Law Course Schedule Unit IV Mid-Course Summary See Reading Assignments for Units I, II, and III Unit V Toxic Substances, Waste Management, and Hazardous Waste Chapter 7: Controlling Toxic Substances Chapter 8: Waste Management and Hazardous Releases Unit VI Energy and Natural Resources Chapter 9: Energy Chapter 10: Natural Resources Case Study by Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time BEM 3001, Environmental Law 8

9 BEM 3001, Environmental Law Course Schedule Unit VII International Environmental Law Chapter 11: International Environmental Law Case Study by Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time Request to take Final Exam Unit VIII Article Critique and Final Exam Chapter 10: Natural Resources Chapter 11: International Environmental Law For Final Exam, see Reading Assignments for Units V, VI, and VII Case Study by Final Exam by BEM 3001, Environmental Law 9