JUS5831 - Environmental Law and Economics
Course content
This course empowers law students to think “outside the box” of doctrine and positive law while retaining scholarly rigour. It’s aim is, first, that the student obtains a good understanding of problems, ends and means in the law and economics of the environment. Here, an introduction is given to how problems, end(s), and means are defined in environmental and welfare economics. Topics may include: pollution as an economic problem; “solving” an environmental problem; measuring costs and benefits of pollution.
The second aim is that the student understands well the use of legislation-centered and administration-centered tools. Here, such tools are discussed in an environmental and welfare economic perspective. Topics may include: environmental taxes according to the Pigouvian tradition; the role of legal rights in the Coasian perspective(s); land use controls, emission allowances and concessionary systems; Emission Trading Systems; the core arguments in the federalism debate ("harmonization versus regulatory competition"/"the level playing field argument versus the subsidiarity principle").
The third aim is that the student learns about the role of private law and property law (and thus courts) in a public policy perspective. Topics may include: property rules versus liability rules, herein on the role of "tolerance limits" (reasonableness, nuisance principles); basic points in the economic analysis of the decisions to sue and settle – servitudes and their relation to land use planning (zoning).
Finally a fourth aim is that the student’s understanding not only relates to the environment in a general way, but also becomes context-specific in the sense that the student should be familiar with ways to apply the general insights to issues like climate change, local air pollution, water pollution and soil contamination.
If desirable, separate time will be set aside for discussion or comments to lectures or reading material. A set of exercises may also be handed out.
Learning outcome
The students learn how to perceive and analyze alternative solutions to environmental problems and/or problems of natural resources overuse/underuse.
The course is meant as a specialist course for students with an educational background in law and also meant as a specialization for lawyers at work.
Admission
Id does not exist in shared textYou may register for this course if you have admission to a Master’s programme at UiO or the faculty's exchange programme. You can also register for this course if you do not have admission to any programme at UiO, but meet the formal prerequistites.
All students are required meet the formal prerequistites.
Have you met the formal prerequisites at another institution than the University of Oslo, and the results are not formally registered at UiO, you must apply for admission to courses at Master’s level . Students with admission to Master’s degree programmes at other faculties than The Faculty of Law must also apply for admission.
When your admission is in order you must register for courses in StudentWeb
Id does not exist in shared textPrerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Students must fill one of these requirements:
- Passed 1st - 3rd year of studies in Master's of Law (masterstudiet i rettsvitenskap at UiO) or examinations that qualify for exemption from these) or
- Having a 5-years Master’s degree in Laws (masterstudiet i rettsvitenskap at UiO) or equivalent.
Students with admission to the faculty’s exchange programme and students with admission to any master’s degree programme at the University of Oslo (except masterstudiet i rettsvitenskap) has an exemption from the formal prerequisites.
Recommended previous knowledge
Introductory course in ecomonics or economic analysis of law.
Teaching
Lectures, 20 hours.
Language of teaching for this course is English. This means that all
communication during lectures/seminars will be in English, and all
literature and auxiliary materials are in English.
Access to teaching
Id does not exist in shared textExamination
4 hour written examination.
Examination support material
Id does not exist in shared textRegulations for support materials permitted at examination for courses taught in English . Please read all three chapters.
Language of examination
Id does not exist in shared textThe language of examination for this course is English. This means
that the examination question will be given in English, and students
may answer in English only.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
You may request an explanation of your grades, and you may also appeal against your grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals.
Resit an examination
You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam.
Withdrawal from an examination
Id does not exist in shared textSpecial examination arrangements
If you have a disability or a health problem that entails significant inconvenience in an examination situation, you may be considered for special examination arrangements. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.
Evaluation
Id does not exist in shared textOther
The language for this course is English. Students enrolled in the
Masterprogrammet i rettsvitenskap must pass one
English subject as part of their degree, this course will meet these
obligations.