Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
E S D006.
Course Title (CB02)
Introduction to Environmental Law
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
An introduction to environmental law and associated regulation in the U.S. and California, addressing the areas of air quality, water quality, waste management, hazardous materials management, natural resources management and preservation, global warming/climate change, and land use, along with environmental equity/justice concerns.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is both CSU and UC transferable and is a requirement for the CTE Certificate and Degree in Environmental Resource Management and Pollution Prevention. The course meets a student identified need to learn about the development and use of environmental laws and associated regulations to protect human health and the environment.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to both UC and CSU

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.0
Maximum Credit Units
4.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.08.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
48.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
96.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
96.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Field observation and field trips

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Assignments

  1. Reading assignments from the text and other assigned sources.
  2. Writing assignments involving summary, synthesis and critical analysis of environmental laws and associated regulations.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Quizzes to evaluate student comprehension of course concepts and principles and their application.
  2. Written homework assignments that require students to demonstrate the ability to summarize, integrate and critically analyze course concepts and principles and their application.
  3. Two exams (Midterm and Final) to evaluate student comprehension of course concepts and principles and their application.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • Kirsch Center for Environmental Studies
  • (Special Purpose Facilities: 1) LEED Platinum-rated green building designed to showcase and teach about effective energy management, efficient environmental resource use, and pollution prevention, 2) Equipment Demonstration/Computer Lab (KC 239), 3) Natural Science Lab (KC 120) 4) Open Teaching Classroom/Lab (ESA Building), 5) Rooftop Air Pollution Monitoring Station)

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
*Herson, Albert and Gary Lucks, "California Environmental Law and Policy," 2nd Edition. Solano Press. 2017.
Various online sources of environmental laws, regulations and policies (Federal Register, etc.).
Various environmental regulatory agency websites (USEPA, Cal/EPA, etc.).

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Kubasek, Nancy K. & Gary S. Silverman, "Environmental Law," 8th Edition, Prentice Hall, 2013.
Findley, R. and Farber, D., "Environmental Law in a Nutshell," 9th Ed., West Group, 2014.
Moya, O. and Fono, A, "Federal Environmental Law," 3rd Ed., West Group, 2010.
Percival, Schroeder, Miller, Leape, "Environmental Regulation: Law, Science, and Policy," 7th Ed., Aspen Publishers, 2013.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Examine the U.S. and California legal (legislative and regulatory) systems.
  • Identify and explore sources of environmental law.
  • Review and assess the history of environmental law and regulation in the U.S. and California
  • Investigate major U.S. and California environmental laws and associated regulations.
  • Identify and explore information sources to monitor current and proposed environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
  • Examine the skills necessary to understand and critically evaluate actual or proposed environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
  • Explore career opportunities involving environmental law and regulation.

CSLOs

  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate the elements, principles and practices involved with Environmental Law and associated Regulation in the U.S. and California.

Outline

  1. Examine the U.S. and California legal (legislative and regulatory) systems.
    1. U.S. Legislative System review: Congress, The President, and the U.S. Court System
    2. California Legislative System review: The State Legislature, The Governor, and the California Court System.
    3. U.S. Regulatory System review: Environmental Regulatory & Resource Management Agencies (USEPA, etc.)
    4. California Regulatory System review: Environmental Regulatory & Resource Management Agencies (Cal/EPA, etc.)
    5. Creating environmental laws and associated regulations.
    6. Enforcing environmental laws and associated regulations.
    7. Federal preemption of State Laws (i.e., The Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution)
  2. Identify and explore sources of environmental law.
    1. Explore sources of federal environmental law (U.S. Constitution, Federal Statutes, Federal Regulations, Federal Executive Orders, Federal Judicial Decisions).
    2. Explore sources of state environmental law (State Constitution, State Statutes, State Regulations, State Executive Orders, State Judicial Decisions, State Initiatives & Referendums [“Ballot Propositions"]).
    3. Explore sources of local environmental law (municipal ordinances, local ballot measures).
    4. Explore Common Law doctrines applicable to environmental claims (i.e., Nuisance, Trespass, Negligence, Strict Liability).
  3. Review and assess the history of environmental law and regulation in the U.S. and California
    1. Pre-1970 era laws and regulations.
    2. 1970-1980: Most modern environmental laws and regulations enacted.
    3. Post-1980 environmental laws and regulations enacted.
  4. Investigate major U.S. and California environmental laws and associated regulations.
    1. Air Quality Laws and Regulations.
    2. Water Quality Laws and Regulations.
    3. Hazardous Waste Laws and Regulations.
    4. Hazardous Materials Laws and Regulations.
    5. Natural Resource Laws and Regulations.
    6. Climate Change/Global Warming Laws and Regulations.
    7. Land Use Laws and Regulations.
    8. Environmental Equity/Justice Rules and Policies
  5. Identify and explore information sources to monitor current and proposed environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
    1. Federal Sources: Congressional Websites, Regulatory Agency websites, the Federal Register (FR), the U.S. Code (USC), the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
    2. State Sources: Legislative Websites, Regulatory Agency websites, the California Codes (CCs), the California Code of Regulations (CCR).
    3. Other sources of information (industry trade groups, public interest groups, etc.).
  6. Examine the skills necessary to understand and critically evaluate actual or proposed environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
    1. Critical evaluation of actual or proposed environmental laws.
    2. Critical evaluation of actual or proposed environmental regulations.
    3. Critical evaluation of actual or proposed environmental policies.
  7. Explore career opportunities involving environmental law and regulation.
    1. Explore career opportunities as an Environmental Lawyer.
    2. Explore career opportunities as an Environmental Compliance Specialist (helping businesses and organizations comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations).
    3. Explore career opportunities as an Environmental Advocate seeking to influence environmental legislation and regulation.
    4. Explore career opportunities as an Environmental Scientist/Researcher providing scientific information and data supporting development and compliance with environmental laws and regulations.
    5. Explore career opportunities as a Government Regulator or Natural Resource Manager.
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