Environmental Laws And Policies
- Sciences
- 300 level
- 2 credit units
- 167 pages
- 12 units
This course explores the legal and policy frameworks governing environmental protection. It examines the concept of environmental law, its historical development in Nigeria, and its various sources, including international treaties and national legislation. The course also analyzes legal approaches to environmental problems, the socio-cultural influences on environmental law, and the challenges of hazardous waste management in Africa. Furthermore, it delves into conservation principles, waste management strategies, pollution control, oil spill management, and the intersection of human rights and environmental protection.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 45 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assessments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ESM303, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
- Unit 1: Environmental LawPage 2
- Unit 2: Historical Background to Environmental Law in NigeriaPage 12
- Unit 3: Sources of Environmental Law in NigeriaPage 29
- Unit 4: Legal Analysis of Environmental ProblemsPage 51
- Unit 5: Social and Cultural views on the EnvironmentPage 60
- Unit 6: Hazardous and Toxic Wastes in AfricaPage 75
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ESM303 · Unit 1: Environmental Law
Environmental law is a complex and interlocking body of treaties, conventions, statutes, regulations, and common law that, very broadly, operate to regulate the interaction of humanity and the rest of the biophysical or natural environment, toward the purpose of reducing the impacts of human activity, both on the natural environment and on humanity itself.
What you should be able to do
- Define and explain the concept of environmental law.
- Identify and analyze the historical development of environmental law in Nigeria.
- Identify and discuss the various sources of environmental law.
- Analyze legal approaches to environmental problems.
- Explain the socio-cultural influences on environmental law.
- Discuss the challenges of hazardous waste management in Africa.
- Explain conservation principles and waste management strategies.
- Analyze pollution control and oil spill management techniques.
- Discuss the intersection of human rights and environmental protection.
- Explain international and regional environmental laws and policies.
What it prepares you for
- Environmental Lawyer
- Environmental Consultant
- Environmental Manager
- Policy Advisor
- Sustainability Officer
- Oil and Gas
- Manufacturing
- Agriculture
- Government Agencies
- Non-Governmental Organizations
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1: Introduction
Unit 3: Sources of Environmental Law in Nigeria
Requires understanding of complex legal frameworks and international conventions.
- Module 2: Core Environmental Concepts
Unit 3: Environmental Pollution and Management
Involves analyzing complex scientific data and understanding the long-term effects of pollution.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 27 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introduction
Unit 1: Environmental Law · 2 hours
Define environmental law using different scholars' perspectives.. Discuss the role of government in environmental protection.. Explain the relationship between law, science, and technology in preserving the environment..
- Week 2Module 1: Introduction
Unit 2: Historical Background to Environmental Law in Nigeria · 2 hours
Discuss the evolution of environmental law from the colonial era to the present.. Explain the impact of the Koko toxic waste incident on environmental law in Nigeria.. Analyze the role of the United Nations in global environmental protection..
- Week 3Module 1: Introduction
Unit 3: Sources of Environmental Law in Nigeria · 2 hours
Identify and explain the various sources of environmental law in Nigeria.. Discuss the role of international treaties, the Constitution, and case law in environmental protection.. Analyze the application of common law principles like negligence and nuisance in environmental cases..
- Week 4Module 1: Introduction
Unit 4: Legal Analysis of Environmental Problems · 2 hours
Explain the legal analysis of environmental problems.. Discuss the relationship between development and the environment.. Analyze the impact of population growth on environmental sustainability..
- Week 5Module 1: Introduction
Unit 5: Social and Cultural views on the Environment · 2 hours
Discuss the socio-cultural effects on environmental law.. Analyze the impact of town and country planning on environmental protection.. Explain the challenges of non-compliance and enforcement of environmental laws..
- Week 6Module 1: Introduction
Unit 6: Hazardous and Toxic Wastes in Africa · 2 hours
Define hazardous waste and discuss its sources.. Analyze the impact of toxic waste dumping in Africa.. Explain the legal framework for regulating hazardous waste in Nigeria..
- Week 7Module 2: Core Environmental Concepts
Unit 1: Conservation · 2 hours
Define conservation and discuss its history.. Explain the concepts of natural resources, human needs, and agricultural development in relation to conservation.. Analyze the importance of conservation for pollution prevention, economic value, and aesthetic value..
- Week 8Module 2: Core Environmental Concepts
Unit 2: Waste and Waste Management · 2 hours
Define waste and discuss different types of waste.. Explain waste management techniques, including landfill, incineration, and recycling.. Analyze the sources of laws governing waste management in Nigeria..
- Week 9Module 2: Core Environmental Concepts
Unit 3: Environmental Pollution and Management · 2 hours
Define pollution and discuss its history and nature.. Explain different types of pollution, including water, air, land, and noise pollution.. Analyze the causes and effects of pollution on the environment and human health..
- Week 10Module 2: Core Environmental Concepts
Unit 4: Oil Pollution · 2 hours
Discuss oil pollution in the Niger Delta as a case study.. Analyze the impact of oil spills on the environment and local communities.. Explain the laws and policies regulating oil spills in Nigeria..
- Week 11Module 2: Core Environmental Concepts
Unit 5: Human Rights and the Environment · 2 hours
Explain the relationship between human rights and the environment.. Discuss the state's obligations to protect human rights in relation to the environment.. Analyze the role of international and regional instruments in promoting environmental rights..
- Week 12Module 2: Core Environmental Concepts
Unit 6: International and Regional Environmental Laws · 2 hours
Discuss the Stockholm Declaration of 1972 and its significance.. Explain the Basel Convention on hazardous waste.. Analyze the Kyoto Protocol on climate change..
- Week 13Final Revision
Final Revision · 3 hours
Review all modules and units.. Work on assignments and TMAs.. Prepare for final examinations..
Preparing for the exam
- Create a timeline of key events in the historical development of environmental law in Nigeria (Unit 2).
- Develop concept maps linking different sources of environmental law (Unit 3).
- Practice applying legal principles to hypothetical environmental problems (Unit 4).
- Research case studies of successful and unsuccessful environmental law enforcement (Unit 5).
- Summarize the key provisions of major international environmental agreements (Unit 6).
- Focus on understanding the specific regulations and penalties associated with different types of pollution (Module 2).
- Review past TMAs and assignments to identify areas of weakness.
- Allocate study time proportionally to the weight of each module in the final examination.
- Practice answering essay questions under timed conditions.
- Familiarize yourself with relevant case law and legislation.
Questions students ask about this course
What is ESM303 about?
This course explores the legal and policy frameworks governing environmental protection. It examines the concept of environmental law, its historical development in Nigeria, and its various sources, including international treaties and national legislation. The course also analyzes legal approaches to environmental problems, the socio-cultural influences on environmental law, and the challenges of hazardous waste management in Africa. Furthermore, it delves into conservation principles, waste management strategies, pollution control, oil spill management, and the intersection of human rights and environmental protection.
How many units does ESM303 have?
ESM303, Environmental Laws And Policies, has 12 units across 2 modules, over 167 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ESM303?
ESM303 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Sciences.
Is ESM303 hard?
ESM303 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does ESM303 take to study?
About 45 hours of study, spread across its 12 units.
How is ESM303 assessed?
ESM303 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.
What can I do with ESM303?
Environmental Lawyer, Environmental Consultant, Environmental Manager, Policy Advisor and Sustainability Officer.