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.

Catalog text is imported from the reviewed Boston College course snapshot. Confirm eligibility in EagleApps.

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)

Requirement eligibility can vary by school, cohort, and section. Confirm the selected section in EagleApps or with an advisor.

Official evaluation summary

4.13 / 5

Based on 68 aggregate responses from BC Avalanche/Blue evaluations.

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-08-02. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

  • Jeffry Fowley
    Fall 2026, Fall 2025, Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022, Fall 2021 · Official rating 4.03/5

Sections

  • Section 01
    Fall 2026 · Jeffry Fowley · Devlin Hall 221 TuTh 01:30PM-02:45PM · Offered