Catalog Description
- Transfer Status
- CSU
- Unit(s)
- 3.00
- Lecture: 51.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)
- Total: 51.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)
Course Description: This course introduces students to federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to the management and protection of natural resources. Topics include the history and development of environmental law including Air and Water Quality Acts, National Environmental Policy Act, and Endangered Species Act. Graded only.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
- Identify the pertinent legislative entities and environmental laws, their history and development.
- Describe how the laws of a community reflect moral and ethical commitments to the environment and sustainability.
- Locate and analyze the federal and state acts, statutes and regulations which protect the environment.
- Explain the biological, chemical and physical reactions of the environment to deleterious acts and processes.
- Identify the procedures required by law for the purpose of mitigating damage to the environment by industry and human development.
Course Content
Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic
Lecture
| Topics | Lec Hrs |
|---|---|
Introduction to the Law | 3.00 |
The American Legal System: The Source of Environmental Law | 6.00 |
The Litigation Process and Other Tools for Resolving Environmental Disputes | 6.00 |
Aministrative Law and Its Impact on the Environment | 3.00 |
An Introduction to Environmental Law and Policy | 6.00 |
Air-Quality Control | 3.00 |
Water-Quality Control | 3.00 |
Controlling Toxic Substances | 3.00 |
Waste Management and Hazardous Releases | 3.00 |
Energy | 3.00 |
Natural Resources | 6.00 |
International Environmental Law | 3.00 |
Environmental Impact Report | 3.00 |
| Total Hours: | 51.00 |
Methods of Instruction
- Collaborative Group Work
- Group Discussions
- Guest Speakers
- Homework: Students are required to complete two hours of outside-of-class homework for each hour of lecture
- Lecture
Methods of Evaluation
- Exams/Tests
- Research Projects
- Oral Presentation
- Written Assignments
- Essays and research papers
Examples of Assignments
Reading Assignments
- Read an article on a violation related to hunting out of season and be prepared to discuss in class.
- Read a case law regarding controversial development on forested land and summarize your findings.
Writing Assignments
- Pick one of your favorite environmental laws and write a 1500-word paper identifying how it impacts you personally.
- Attend a County Board of Supervisors meeting (in-person or online) and write a 300-word report on the meeting.
Out-of-Class Assignments
- Attend a government meeting (in-person or online) related to environmental issues and write a 300-word report on the issues and outcome.
- Work with other students to prepare a "skit" based on case law, to be shared with the class.
Recommended Materials of Instruction
Salzman, J., et al. (2024). Concepts & Insights Series: Environmental Law and Policy. Foundation Press, 6th. 9781685615727.
Salzman, J. et al. (2025). Natural Resources Law and Policy. Foundation Press, 4th. 9798895450062.
Klein, C., et al. (2022). Natural Resources Law: A Place-Based Book of Problems and Cases. Aspen Publishing, 5th. 9781543838909.
Minimum Qualifications
Forestry/Natural Resources