ENVS 3356 Seminar in Environmental Law
This is a seminar intended for undergraduates (both pre-law and non pre-law) interested in environmental law and policy. It covers selected topics in depth and thus is a good supplement to the introductory Environmental Law and Policy course, although the introductory course is not a required pre-requisite. Topics covered include: (1) the Clean Water Act and the Boston Harbor cleanup; (2) the RCRA hazardous waste regulations (3) contaminated (both superfund and brownfield) site cleanups; and (4) sustainability/toxic use reduction efforts by businesses. This course will emphasize the practical aspects of environmental law and policy including learning how to read and understand environmental regulations and permits, and will include several written exercises (in lieu of exams). Is an elective for environmental studies majors and minors. Or can be applied to the social science requirement of the food and water sustainability concentration, or the upper level environmental law and policy requirement of the environmental justice and policy concentration. Also counts as an elective for environmental geo-science majors, for students in the program for global public health and the common good, and for students in the managing for social impact program in the Carroll School. This course is open to seniors and juniors. Sophomores may be admitted, but only with the permission of the instructor.
Course overview
- Department
- Environmental Studies
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Every Fall
Catalog details
- Prerequisites
- This course is open to seniors and juniors. Sophomores may be admitted, but only with the permission of the instructor.
Requirements fulfilled
- Environmental Studies: Concentration — Environmental Justice and Policy: One Upper-Level Environmental Law and Policy Course (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Environmental Studies: Concentration — Food and Water Sustainability: One Social Science Course (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.13 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.03 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 5
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | Jeffry Fowley | 4.1 | 3.9 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 4.7 | 4.3 | 4.9 | 7–9 hrs/week | 13 of 13 |
| Fall 2024 | Jeffry Fowley | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4–6 hrs/week | 14 of 14 |
| Fall 2023 | Jeffry Fowley | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 16 of 16 |
| Fall 2022 | Jeffry Fowley | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.2 | 4.9 | 4–6 hrs/week | 12 of 13 |
| Fall 2021 | Jeffry Fowley | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 5.0 | 4–6 hrs/week | 13 of 14 |