Download International Environmental Law , Professor Richard Finkmoore

INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW (2 Credits)
Professor Richard Finkmoore, California Western School of Law
Daily 9:00 a.m. to 10:50 a.m.
International Environmental Law (IEL) is a dynamic, fascinating, and
critically important field of law. This course begins with an overview of
the current state of the global environment and the human activities which
affect the biosphere, followed by a brief history of IEL. Because students
are not expected to have any prior background in international law, the
course also introduces the process of making international law and the
institutions involved in implementing IEL, such as the United Nations
Environment Programme, treaty secretariats, and nongovernmental
organizations (NGOs). We then examine the most significant current
global environmental issue, climate change, and take a close look at the
principal international agreements, such as the United Nations Framework
Convention on climate change. Students will also gain familiarity with the
central concepts in this field, such as sustainable development, the
precautionary principle, and the common heritage of humankind.
The course will incorporate a variety of class formats, including breakout
sessions and brief student reports on recent developments in IEL.