Environment and Health Law
EHLW300 — Environment & Health Law, 3.0 hours
This course is a comprehensive overview of the major U.S. environmental laws and approaches, strategies, standards, and enforcement techniques. Students will basically be taught the American law that protects our environment and our health. The course is for especially designed for paralegal on general concepts that go a long way to demystify the American legal system.
Program Objectives
- Students will be able to learn and demonstrate mastery in the overview of the US Legal System.
- Students will be able to gain knowledge in the Transparency and Accountability in the Executive Branch: Judicial Review and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
- Students will be able to gain knowledge in understanding the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
- Students will be able to address the importance of Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or “Superfund Act”).
- Students will be able to gain knowledge and an understanding in Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and Oil Pollution Act (OPA).
- Students will be able to demonstrate and gain mastery in the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), and Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act).
- Students will be able to understand and address the importance of Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), and Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
- Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and gain mastery in Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), and Common Law: Toxic Torts.
Professor
Cathryn Ensign is a highly respected attorney and experienced Adjunct Professor, teaching Legal Studies and Criminal Justices classes. Cathryn received her Juris Doctorate degree from Cleveland Marshall University of Law and Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Services from Cleveland State University. Cathryn has been practicing law successfully for over thirty years throughout Ohio. Cathryn is admitted to the Ohio, Federal and United States Supreme Court bars. Cathryn has been recognized as one of the Top Attorneys in Cleveland in the areas of Employment Law and Workers' Compensation. Cathryn has been named AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™, the gold standard in attorney ratings, having recognized lawyers for their strong legal ability and high ethical standards. Cathryn has taught and mentored young attorneys throughout her career and approximately five years ago, began teaching undergraduate courses in law and criminal justice at local universities and Universitys.
Cathryn is also a frequent lecturer and author on a variety of legal topics. Cathryn volunteers as an attorney for Legal Aid and Hospice of the Western Reserve. When not in the Courtroom or the classroom, Cathryn enjoys yoga, reading, cooking and boating on Lake Erie with her husband, Mark and their two golden retrievers, Molly and Marney. Cathryn is the proud stepmother of Brad and Carlie. Cathryn is also an enthusiastic and forever optimistic Cleveland sports fan.
Online Support (IT) and Moodle Navigation
All members of the Lakewood University community who use the University’s computing, information or communication resources must act responsibly. Support is accessible by calling 1-800-517-0857 option 2 or by emailing info@lakewood.edu
Books and Resources
Environmental Health Law: An Introduction. Russellyn S. Carruth, Bernard D. Goldstein.
Evaluation Method
Graded work will receive a numeric score reflecting the quality of performance.
Course Requirement Summary
- Assignments - Total of 60 Points
- Weekly discussion forums-Total of 80 Points
- Final Exam - 50 Points
Grading Scale
Graded work will receive a numeric score reflecting the quality of performance as given above in evaluation methods. The maximum number of points a student may earn is 190. To determine the final grade, the student's earned points are divided by 190.
Your overall course grade will be determined according to the following scale:
A = (90% -100%)
B = (80% - 89%)
C = (70% - 79%)
F < (Below 70%)
Assignment and Discussion Forum Post Rubrics
Writing Assignment Grading Rubric
|
Points |
Excellent |
Good |
Poor |
Very Poor |
No Response |
|
Original Posting ____/10 |
Writing assignment was well thought out, coherent, and thoughtfully organized with all parts of the questions addressed along with appropriate grammar and spelling |
Writing was clear and relatively well organized and responded to many/most of the key points with a few mistakes in regard to grammar and spelling |
Writing was somewhat confusing and not well organized and had little or no focus on the subject matter with significant grammar and spelling errors |
Writing is confusing and hard to follow with no organization while missing the point of the assignment entirely |
No Assignment |
|
Total Points ____/10 |
Additional Comments: |
Discussion Question Grading Rubric
|
Points |
Excellent Pass |
Good Pass |
Poor Fail |
No Response Fail |
|
Original Posting PASS/FAIL |
Original post reflected good focus to the discussion with well thought out ideas and appropriate grammar and spelling |
Original post responded to the topic in a general fashion but failed to organize them well and had a few mistakes in regard to grammar and spelling |
Responded with little or no focus to the discussion and contained short, irrelevant and/or confusing commentary with significant grammar and spelling errors |
No posting |
|
Reply to fellow student PASS/FAIL |
Response to fellow student reflected good focus to the post with well thought out ideas and appropriate grammar and spelling |
Response to fellow student in a general fashion but failed to organize them well and had a few mistakes in regard to grammar and spelling |
Little or no focus to the post and contained short, irrelevant and/or confusing commentary with significant grammar and spelling errors |
No posting |
|
Total Points PASS/FAIL |
Additional Comments: |
Academic Integrity/ Plagiarism
Cheating (dishonestly taking the knowledge of another person whether on a test or an assignment and presenting it as your work) and plagiarism (to take and pass off as one's own the ideas or writing of another) are a serious issue. While it is legitimate to talk to others about your assignments and incorporate suggestions, do not let others "write" your assignments in the name of peer review or "borrow" sections or whole assignments written by others. We do get ideas from life experiences and what we read but be careful that you interpret these ideas and make them your own.
I am aware that many types of assignments are available on the internet and will check these sources when there is legitimate suspicion.
Penalty is a zero on the assignment. In cases where there is a major or continuous breach of trust, further discipline, such as an "F" in the course, may be necessary.
The major consequence of any form of cheating is damage to your character and the result of trust and respect.
Disability Accommodations
Students who have a disability and wish to request an academic accommodation should contact Jim Gepperth, the Disabilities Services Coordinator and Academic Dean. The student can request an accommodation at any time although it is encouraged to do so early in the enrollment process. The student should complete an accommodation request form which begins a conversation between the school and the student regarding the nature of their disability and an accommodation that would help the student succeed in their program. The school may request documentation regarding the disability to address the accommodation request effectively. The school will communicate to the student the type of accommodation arranged. This process typically follows a team approach, bringing together persons from the academic department (including the instructor) and personnel from other departments as necessary. Additional information on disability accommodations may be found in the Lakewood University Catalog.
Disability Services Email: disabilityservices@lakewood.edu
Supplemental Texts
You can use the following resources to assist you with proper source citation.
American Psychological Association Style Guide- https://www.mylakewoodu.com/pluginfile.php/118179/mod_resource/content/1/APA%20Style%20Guide%207th%20edition.pdf
The Purdue OWL website is also a helpful resource for students. Here is a link to the OWL website: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/general_format.html
Library
Mary O'Dell is the Librarian on staff at Lakewood University
She is available by appointment. You can make an appointment with her by emailing her at modell@lakewood.edu or call at 1-800-517-0857 X 730
You may also schedule a meeting at this link: https://my.setmore.com/calendar#monthly/r3a761583354923270/01032020
She can assist you with navigating LIRN, research, citations etc.
Support
Each student at Lakewood University is assigned a Success Coach. Your Success Coach exists to assist you with academic and supportive services as you navigate your program. They will reach out to you, often, to check-in. Please use the resources they offer.
Student Services is available to assist with technical questions regarding Lakewood University and all services available to you.
1-800-517-0857 option 2
info@lakewood.edu
studentservices@lakewood.edu
Career Services
Students are offered Career Services at any point as they journey their academics at Lakewood University.
1-800-517-0857 option 2
careerservices@lakewood.edu
Objectives
- Students will be able to learn and demonstrate mastery in the overview of the US Legal System.
- Students will be able to gain knowledge in the Transparency and Accountability in the Executive Branch: Judicial Review and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
- Students will be able to gain knowledge in understanding the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
- Students will be able to address the importance of Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or “Superfund Act”).
- Students will be able to gain knowledge and an understanding in Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and Oil Pollution Act (OPA).
- Students will be able to demonstrate and gain mastery in the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), and Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act).
- Students will be able to understand and address the importance of Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), and Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
- Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and gain mastery in Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), and Common Law: Toxic Torts.
Lessons
- Law and the Legal System
- Judicial Review
Study Course Syllabus
Read Chapters 1 & 2
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Complete Assignment 1
Lesson Evaluation
- Clean Air Act: Hazardous Air Pollutants Program (HAPS)
- Clean Air Act (1970)
- Clean Water Act (1972)
- Dredge & Fill Program
Read Chapters 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Assignment 1 – Complete a 2-4 page paper
Lesson Evaluation
- Safe Drinking Water Act
- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation & Liability Act
Read Chapters 5 & 6
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Lesson Evaluation
- Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA)
- Oil Pollution Act (OPA)
Read Chapters 7 & 8
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Lesson Evaluation
- Emergency Planning & Right-to-Know Act
- Occupational Safety & Health Act (1970)
Read Chapters 9 & 10
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Assignment 2 – Complete a 2-4 page paper
Lesson Evaluation
- Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) 1976
- Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act
Read Chapters 11 & 12
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Lesson Evaluation
- Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act
Read Chapters 13
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Assignment 3 – Complete a 2-4 page paper
Lesson Evaluation
- Common Law Torts
Read Chapters 14
Lesson Evaluation
Complete the Final Exam
Request the Next Course
Course Evaluation
THANKS FOR A GREAT CLASS