Assessment 1

Fundamental Information as follows:

The first 25% term assignment will include two tasks. The first task will require you to review and analyse an environmental law case. You will then answer a series of short-answer questions to assess your understanding of how a legal challenge made to a decision by an environmental regulator can contribute to the development of environmental law. The second task will require you to provide a short answer to an environmental policy question

I assess students on their ability to demonstrate thinking and writing and presentation skills, to comprehend the material, to process the material and to provide a critical analysis and logical discussion of the law. Students are required to communicate clearly and logically and in a concise manner. I expect you to present in a professional manner.You must appropriately reference and attribute the work of others.

Problem Solving. The focus of the tasks is to develop applied problem and policy solving skills. This requires students to read and analyse a fact scenario matrix or policy measure - hypothetical or actual - and identify legal, regulatory and broad planning or environmental policy issues and apply these to develop a reasoned outcome with respect to the issues presented.

Critical Thinking. Students are required to critically analyse and evaluate information, facts, law and policy in a problem solving context. The skills being emphasised involve the critical appraisal and reflection of legal, planning and environmental issues plus the application of case law, legislation and policy (theoretical or actual) against a factual matrix or stated assumptions.

Information Literacy. The tasks test understanding and comprehension of critical legal, planning and environmental knowledge, legislation and policy measures discussed in the course in topics covered prior to submission. Students need to develop understanding and familiarity with relevant terms, concepts and issues addressed. This information literacy is tested in an applied as well as descriptive manner.

Information Technology Competence. The tasks test students' aptitude and capability to access web-based information and resources. Competence in producing academic written work with use of technology forms part of the assessment.

Ethical/sustainability policy issues and practice. In formulating responses to questions, students will frequently be making judgments about societal ethics and planning or environmental sustainability policy matters.

Fail

You will have shown evidence of the following:

• your expression is poor and difficult to understand

• the answer is poorly organised

• referencing is generally inadequate

• lack of familiarity with the legislation and its application

• failure to identify and address the issues in the question

• reasoning and application demonstrated is poor

Pass

You will have:

• made a conscientious attempt to address the topic and/or answer the question

• shown evidence of having done the required reading and of having understood the reading

• presented a reasonable argument to back up your conclusions

• demonstrated a reasonable level of presentation

• used referencing but this may need improvement

• issues that may need to be identified and addressed in more depth

Credit

You will have:

• addressed the topic and/or answered the question directly

• presented soundly based arguments and backed these up with reasons

• gone beyond description to analysis of key issues

• used the English language well

• shown evidence of reading widely

• demonstrated understanding of the reading

• used referencing that is satisfactory

Distinction

You will have:

• met the above criteria for a credit

• demonstrated the attainment of a high degree of understanding of the concepts of the course

• demonstrated deep insight into the application of knowledge and skills acquired to complex theoretical and practical situations

• used referencing correctly

• made reference to all appropriate legislation

High Distinction

You will have:

• met the above criteria for a distinction

• demonstrated the attainment of an outstanding level of achievement regarding the objectives of this course

• demonstrated an interesting and/or original approach/idea/argument

• demonstrated mastery of the relevant referencing system

• ensured your conclusions are backed by well-reasoned arguments demonstrating a detailed insight and analysis of issues

Assessment 2

Fundamental Information as follows:

• The second 25% term assignment will require analysis of an environmental statutory assessment and approval process. You will be required to answer a series of short answer questions. It comprises a practical assessment of environmental law, regulatory assessment and implementation.

The second assignment comprises a theoretical and practical assessment of planning and environmental law policy, regulatory assessment and implementation. You are required to provide a written and an audio-visual presentation including evidence of sound understanding, effective communication, structured argument and critical thinking within a well presented format. It is not necessarily the case that all the criteria will be met at a particular standard, as there may be superior performance on one of the criteria and not so satisfactory performance on another. A mark will be calculated by reference to an overall assessment of the criteria. Standards required to the various grades of pass use the university grades and results procedures.

I assess students on their ability to demonstrate thinking and writing and presentation skills, to comprehend the material, to process the material and to provide a critical analysis and logical discussion of the law. Students are required to communicate clearly and logically and in a concise manner. I expect you to present in a professional manner.You must appropriately reference and attribute the work of others.

Fail

You will have shown evidence of the following:

• your expression is poor and difficult to understand

• the answer is poorly organised

• referencing is generally inadequate

• lack of familiarity with the legislation and its application

• failure to identify and address the issues in the question

• reasoning and application demonstrated is poor

Pass

You will have:

• made a conscientious attempt to address the topic and/or answer the question

• shown evidence of having done the required reading and of having understood the reading

• presented a reasonable argument to back up your conclusions

• demonstrated a reasonable level of presentation

• used referencing but this may need improvement

• issues that may need to be identified and addressed in more depth

Credit

You will have:

• addressed the topic and/or answered the question directly

• presented soundly based arguments and backed these up with reasons

• gone beyond description to analysis of key issues

• used the English language well

• shown evidence of reading widely

• demonstrated understanding of the reading

• used referencing that is satisfactory

Distinction

You will have:

• met the above criteria for a credit

• demonstrated the attainment of a high degree of understanding of the concepts of the course

• demonstrated deep insight into the application of knowledge and skills acquired to complex theoretical and practical situations

• used referencing correctly

• made reference to all appropriate legislation

High Distinction

You will have:

• met the above criteria for a distinction

• demonstrated the attainment of an outstanding level of achievement regarding the objectives of this course

• demonstrated an interesting and/or original approach/idea/argument

• demonstrated mastery of the relevant referencing system

• ensured your conclusions are backed by well-reasoned arguments demonstrating a detailed insight and analysis of issues

For the 50% practical assessment, you will be presented with a factual scenario and will be required to answer a series of questions under two tasks. The first task will involve you preparing guidance to an environmental regulator (as a longer essay style answer) on actions to be taken to ensure compliance with the environmental regulatory framework they administer. The second task will be to demonstrate your understanding of the environmental regulatory framework and associated environmental policy n which the factual scenario is based by providing short answers to a series of questions. 

Further details of what is required for this assessment will be provided closer to the submission date.

Weighting

50%

Assessment Criteria

Students will be assessed on their ability to demonstrate thinking and writing skills, to comprehend the material, to process the material and to provide a critical analysis and logical discussion of the law. Students are required to communicate an answer clearly and logically and in a concise manner. The paper is to be presented in a professional manner. You must appropriately reference and attribute the work of others.

Fail

You will have shown evidence of the following:

• the written expression is poor and difficult to understand

• the answer is poorly organised

• referencing is generally inadequate

• lack of familiarity with the legislation and its application

• failure to identify and address the issues in the question

• reasoning and application demonstrated is poor

Pass

You will have:

• made a conscientious attempt to address the topic and/or answer the question

• shown evidence of having done the required reading and of having understood the reading

• presented a reasonable argument to back up your conclusions

• demonstrated a reasonable level of spelling and grammatical usage

• used referencing but this may need improvement

• issues that may need to be identified and addressed in more depth

Credit

You will have:

• addressed the topic and/or answered the question directly

• presented soundly based arguments and backed these up with reasons

• gone beyond description to analysis of key issues

• used the English language well

• shown evidence of reading widely

• demonstrated understanding of the reading

• used referencing that is satisfactory

Distinction

You will have:

• met the above criteria for a credit

• demonstrated the attainment of a high degree of understanding of the concepts of the course

• demonstrated deep insight into the application of knowledge and skills acquired to complex theoretical and practical situations

• used referencing correctly

• made reference to all appropriate legislation

High Distinction

You will have:

• met the above criteria for a distinction

• demonstrated the attainment of an outstanding level of achievement regarding the objectives of this course

• demonstrated an interesting and/or original approach/idea/argument

• demonstrated mastery of the relevant referencing system

• ensured your conclusions are backed by well-reasoned arguments demonstrating a detailed insight and analysis of issues

• ensured your references are made to the appropriate legislation for particular issues