Environmental Justice
LAW 653 | 2-3 Hours
Environmental Justice (EJ) has been defined as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policy. EJ theory and practice begins with recognition that environmental benefits (such as clean air) and environmental harms (such as water pollution) are not always distributed equitably among populations. In fact, environmental harms often fall heavier on racial minorities, the poor, immigrant communities, children, and the elderly. The study of environmental justice examines the various bases for these disparate impacts and looks for solutions grounded in law, policy, and practice. Throughout the semester, students will be encouraged to identify solutions to contemporary problems of environmental justice. In satisfying the upper-level writing requirement, students will complete an original research paper (thesis), present their thesis in the classroom for feedback from their peers, and revise their thesis over multiple drafts. (Note: You do not need to have taken the Environmental Law Survey to take this seminar).