Environmental law, which began to take shape in earnest in the 1960s, is a relatively young and very dynamic subset of law. After a review of how environmental policy is formulated within the pluralistic majoritarian setting of the United States, students in this course study the constitutional underpinnings of environmental law. Through close work with multiple major laws and case studies, students consider the interrelated importance of legislatures, courts, administrative agencies, and science in establishing and then enacting various versions and visions of environmental quality and protection. Students hear from guest speakers working in the field and take at least one field trip. Reading materials include statutory text, agency regulations, court opinions, and a variety of popular and scholarly articles. Prior completion of either ENS 2500 Topics in Environmental Governance, or a 2000 level PSC course, is strongly recommended. Prior completion of ENS 1200 Everybody’s Environment
- Teacher: Amy Knisley