Teacher(s)
Language
English
Main themes
The aim of this course is to introduce students to the concept of sustainable development and to study how the law deals with it. After a general introduction to sustainable development, we will tackle the following major topics: societal issues of human well-being (e.g. human rights, health), climate change, biodiversity, food and agriculture, pollution and waste, the circular economy as an example of a fair and sustainable economy, sustainable governance through environmental commons. The study of these topics will provide students with an overview of the major societal challenges at the heart of the social and ecological transition, as well as a framework for critical analysis. As these issues cut across all other legal sub-disciplines, understanding them is essential to training as a 21st century lawyer.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| 1 | Understand the origin, concept and main themes of sustainable development, and the way in which the law is mobilized to respond to the societal issues arising from it. |
| 2 | Argue critically on the basis of legal texts (legislative, jurisprudential and doctrinal). |
| 3 | Identify relevant legal sources (legislative, jurisprudential and doctrinal) in appropriate databases and mobilize them to rigorously justify a legal argument. |
| 4 | Develop autonomous oral (e.g. class discussion) and/or written (e.g. brief written commentary) reflection on the major current issues in sustainable development. |
Content
The course is divided into two parts. The first part consists of the MOOC on the challenges of sustainable development and transition (LBIR2050A). The MOOC comprises six modules:
➤ Module 1 - Understanding the roots of sustainable development
➤ Module 2 - Advancing human well-being
➤ Module 3 - Rethinking agricultural, food and health systems
➤ Module 4 - Developing fair and sustainable economies
➤ Module 5 - Limiting pollution, carbon and waste
➤ Module 6 - Protecting the environmental commons
The second part consists of face-to-face sessions every two weeks, alternating with each MOOC module (week 1: Introduction to the course in auditorium / week 2: Module 1 online / week 3: face-to-face course on the theme of Module 1 / week 4: Module 2 online / week 5: face-to-face course on the theme of Module 2; etc.). The aim of the face-to-face sessions is to bridge the gap between the law and the interdisciplinary material seen online via the MOOC.
Through a critical analysis of certain legislative texts, case law and doctrine relating to the theme of each module of the MOOC, various themes of interest for understanding the legal issues and challenges of sustainable development (rights of nature, corporate social responsibility, compensation for ecological damage, carbon pricing, pesticides, climate justice, etc.) will be addressed, depending on current events and the holder's choices.
➤ Module 1 - Understanding the roots of sustainable development
➤ Module 2 - Advancing human well-being
➤ Module 3 - Rethinking agricultural, food and health systems
➤ Module 4 - Developing fair and sustainable economies
➤ Module 5 - Limiting pollution, carbon and waste
➤ Module 6 - Protecting the environmental commons
The second part consists of face-to-face sessions every two weeks, alternating with each MOOC module (week 1: Introduction to the course in auditorium / week 2: Module 1 online / week 3: face-to-face course on the theme of Module 1 / week 4: Module 2 online / week 5: face-to-face course on the theme of Module 2; etc.). The aim of the face-to-face sessions is to bridge the gap between the law and the interdisciplinary material seen online via the MOOC.
Through a critical analysis of certain legislative texts, case law and doctrine relating to the theme of each module of the MOOC, various themes of interest for understanding the legal issues and challenges of sustainable development (rights of nature, corporate social responsibility, compensation for ecological damage, carbon pricing, pesticides, climate justice, etc.) will be addressed, depending on current events and the holder's choices.
Teaching methods
This course is based on an active teaching method with a strong interactive dimension.
Students are encouraged to take an active part in the course, mainly by..:
1. Audience discussions based on compulsory readings (legal or non-legal literature, case law, legal texts, press, depending on the subject) and personal comments on these readings or other exercises proposed on Moodle. The documents to be read and commented on will be posted on the LDROI1513 course Moodle every fortnight.
2. Via the MOOC discussion channel concerning the material studied in the MOOC.
Active and regular student participation is essential! As such, students are required to attend each face-to-face session (every other week) and to arrive on time.
Depending on the module, guest speakers may be invited whose expertise or practice is related to the subject under study.
The course is given primarily in English (international and European law), unless the subject does not lend itself to it (Belgian law). Students are invited to interact in English but may also do so in French.
Students are encouraged to take an active part in the course, mainly by..:
1. Audience discussions based on compulsory readings (legal or non-legal literature, case law, legal texts, press, depending on the subject) and personal comments on these readings or other exercises proposed on Moodle. The documents to be read and commented on will be posted on the LDROI1513 course Moodle every fortnight.
2. Via the MOOC discussion channel concerning the material studied in the MOOC.
Active and regular student participation is essential! As such, students are required to attend each face-to-face session (every other week) and to arrive on time.
Depending on the module, guest speakers may be invited whose expertise or practice is related to the subject under study.
The course is given primarily in English (international and European law), unless the subject does not lend itself to it (Belgian law). Students are invited to interact in English but may also do so in French.
Evaluation methods
This course is assessed in two parts. The MOOC part is assessed for 3 ECTS credits via a MCQ by the MOOC team (LBIR2050A).
The face-to-face legal part (LDROI1513) is based on continuous and formative assessment throughout the term, for 2 ECTS credits, mainly by means of MCQs or other short-answer questions or in-auditorium exercises at the end of each face-to-face session, on the theme of the module that was the subject of the session
The final course grade will be the average of the two grades (final MCQ for 3/5ths + exercises during the term for 2/5ths).
Questions will be primarily in English or, if the subject does not lend itself to it (Belgian law), in French.
The face-to-face legal part (LDROI1513) is based on continuous and formative assessment throughout the term, for 2 ECTS credits, mainly by means of MCQs or other short-answer questions or in-auditorium exercises at the end of each face-to-face session, on the theme of the module that was the subject of the session
The final course grade will be the average of the two grades (final MCQ for 3/5ths + exercises during the term for 2/5ths).
Questions will be primarily in English or, if the subject does not lend itself to it (Belgian law), in French.
Other information
Every student has the potential to do well in this course and to master the ideas that will be explored during the term. Some clues to success:
1. Read the texts.
2. Come to class.
3. Be prepared to participate in class discussions.
4. Take notes on everything you read, including required reading.
5. Read critically and think comparatively: write down questions you'd like to raise in class, and think critically about the author's sources and arguments. Are his or her arguments convincing or not? Why or why not?
6. Deepen your interests through further reading. Pay close attention to footnotes and bibliographies. They'll help you learn more and open up new horizons.
7. Engage in discussions with your fellow students outside the classroom.
1. Read the texts.
2. Come to class.
3. Be prepared to participate in class discussions.
4. Take notes on everything you read, including required reading.
5. Read critically and think comparatively: write down questions you'd like to raise in class, and think critically about the author's sources and arguments. Are his or her arguments convincing or not? Why or why not?
6. Deepen your interests through further reading. Pay close attention to footnotes and bibliographies. They'll help you learn more and open up new horizons.
7. Engage in discussions with your fellow students outside the classroom.
Faculty or entity
