LLM Environmental Law in Endangered Species and Biodiversity

This course examines the law and policy of endangered species and biodiversity protection in the United States, and at your option abroad. It begins with four classes in conservation biology which underpins the law of this field every step of the way. We then turn to the Endangered Species Act, the pit bull of environmental law, with impacts on natural resources, land use and pollution control across the board, and then to emerging concepts in biodiversity conservation including indicator species, biological corridors, and ecosystem management, capped at mid-term by a one-hour exam. The second part of the course will be taught by students based on research projects, leading to final papers. Grades will be determined by class and TWEN discussion, the mid-term exam, and the research papers. No prerequisites, but Natural Resources law or equivalent is useful and recommended. (3 credits).