General Course Information
1.1 Course details
| Course code: | LLAW6037 / JDOC6037 |
| Course name: | International Environmental Law |
| Programme offered under: | LLM Programme / JD Programme |
| Semester: | Second |
| Prerequisites / Co-requisites: | No |
| Credit point value: | 9 credits / 6 credits |
1.2 Course description
The course is designed to delve into the environmental legal institutions and rules across various jurisdictions, including the US, EU, mainland China, and Hong Kong SAR. Through a comparative analysis of these jurisdictions, we will explore topics such as pollution control, waste management, biodiversity conservation, and climate change, as well as policy and market-based instruments for implementing environmental law.
1.3 Course teachers
| Name | E-mail address | Office | Consultation | |
| Course convenor | Ying Xia | yingxia@hku.hk | CCT 505 | By email |
Learning Outcomes
2.1 Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) for this course
CLO 1 Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles and concepts of environmental law.
CLO 2 Compare and contrast the legal frameworks, institutions, and policy approaches to environmental protection and management in different jurisdictions.
CLO 3 Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of different environmental laws and regulations in addressing contemporary environmental challenges, such as air and water pollution, waste management, biodiversity conservation, and climate change.
CLO 4 Identify areas of potential collaboration and harmonization in environmental law and policy between the various jurisdictions.
CLO 5 Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to real-world environmental issues by examining case studies and engaging in class discussions.
CLO 6 Communicate effectively on topics related to comparative environmental law, and present well-reasoned arguments supported by relevant legal frameworks and principles
2.2 LLM and JD Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Please refer to the following link:
LLM – https://course.law.hku.hk/llm-plo/
JD – https://course.law.hku.hk/jd-plo/
2.3 Programme Learning Outcomes to be achieved in this course
| PLO A | PLO B | PLO C | PLO D | PLO E | PLO F | |
| CLO 1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 2 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 3 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 4 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 5 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 6 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Assessment(s)
3.1 Assessment Summary
| Assessment task | Due date | Weighting | Feedback method* | Course learning outcomes |
| Essay | 15 May 2024 | 100% | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
| *Feedback method (to be determined by course teacher) | |
| 1 | A general course report to be disseminated through Moodle |
| 2 | Individual feedback to be disseminated by email / through Moodle |
| 3 | Individual review meeting upon appointment |
| 4 | Group review meeting |
| 5 | In-class verbal feedback |
3.2 Assessment Detail
To be advised by the convenor.
3.3 Grading Criteria
Please refer to the following link: https://www.law.hku.hk/_files/law_programme_grade_descriptors.pdf
Learning Activities
4.1 Learning Activity Plan
| Seminar: | 3 hours / week for 11 teaching weeks |
| Private study time: | 9.5 hours / week for 11 teaching weeks |
Remarks: the normative student study load per credit unit is 25 ± 5 hours (ie. 150 ± 30 hours for a 6-credit course), which includes all learning activities and experiences within and outside of classroom, and any assessment task and examinations and associated preparations.
4.2 Details of Learning Activities
To be advised by the convenor.
Learning Resources
5.1 Resources
| Reading materials: | Reading materials are posted on Moodle |
| Core reading list: | TBA |
| Recommended reading list: | TBA |
5.2 Links
Please refer to the following link: http://www.law.hku.hk/course/learning-resources/