MVV401K Environmental Justice

Faculty of Law
Spring 2024
Extent and Intensity
0/1/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Dr. Pamela Hill (seminar tutor), prof. JUDr. Ing. Michal Radvan, Ph.D. (deputy)
prof. JUDr. Ing. Michal Radvan, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
prof. JUDr. Ing. Michal Radvan, Ph.D.
Faculty of Law
Contact Person: Mgr. Věra Redrupová, B.A.
Supplier department: Faculty of Law
Timetable of Seminar Groups
MVV401K/01: Mon 29. 4. 8:00–9:40 041, Tue 30. 4. 14:00–15:40 041, 16:00–17:40 041, Thu 2. 5. 10:00–11:40 041, 12:00–13:40 041
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 30 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 33/30, only registered: 0/30
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 60 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
Environmental justice concerns the fair distribution of environmental harms and the meaningful involvement of people affected by it. It recognizes that underserved, underrepresented, and marginalized populations and developing countries are burdened disproportionately and often are not meaningfully involved in decisions affecting them. It aspires to correct this unfairness. This course will examine the question "what is environmental justice?", review the history of the environmental justice movement starting with its beginnings in the US, examine the root causes of environmental injustice globally, and explore national and international attempts to address it. The course will cover specific situations presenting environmental justice issues including climate justice.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students should be able to
1) understand the basics of environmental law, focusing on the US,
2) identify and analyze issues concerning environmental justice globally,
3) discuss ways to promote environmental justice, and
4) increase oral skills associated with legal and social justice issues.
Syllabus
  • Topic 1
  • WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE?
  • Definitions, the elements of environmental justice, environmental justice populations; Flint, Michigan and Bhopal, India examples.
  • Topic 2
  • THE HISTORY OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE MOVEMENT:
  • Overview of US and international environmental law and the emergence of the environmental justice movement in the US and globally. The role of the UN.
  • Topic 3
  • ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICE: ROOT CAUSES:
  • Identification and discussion of the underlying causes of environmental injustice including racism, capitalism, neocolonialism, and poverty.
  • Topic 4
  • CLIMATE JUSTICE:
  • Exploration of the causes of climate injustice, identification of populations and countries experiencing it, and review of current international efforts to address it.
  • Topic 5
  • SOLUTIONS?
  • Identification and discussion of possible ways to reduce environmental injustices, including practical legal and other tools that could be employed.
Literature
  • Course materials will be provided electronically and accessible one month before the first class.
Teaching methods
Lectures and discussion
Assessment methods
A written exam during the final session consisting of short-answer questions
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/law/spring2024/MVV401K