Review 1
Sem 1 2020.
Teaching of the Unit (lecture, class and tutorial style)
Taught with 2x 2 hour lectures a week plus an online discussion Zoom. This was how it was structured during lockdown so may be different in person. The lectures are meant to be quite interactive but with lockdown they were pre recorded instead.
What are assessments and exams like?
The unit is 50% research essay and 50% take home exam. Gerry gave a fair amount of guidance for how he wanted the essays to be structured. He also is willing to give detailed feedback if you chase him up about it, otherwise there is minimal feedback.
Essentiality of readings? i.e. Must complete or are lectures sufficient?
Readings need to be done in depth for the topics you choose to focus on for your assessments. Otherwise lectures are sufficient.
Pros and Cons of the Unit
Pros – able to choose research essay topic so can focus on an area of particular interest. Gerry is very experienced and has a wealth of knowledge. Lectures are fairly engaging and cover a wide variety of environmental topics.
Cons – Requires you to be consist and self-motivated as there are no assessments until about week 9. I personally found choosing my own essay topic difficult and I had to put in a lot of extra work to find a topic I felt I wanted to discuss/research.
Difficulty of unit on a scale
Quality of the unit
General feedback + tips for students
Start early on the research assessments! In the research essay, Gerry really likes for you to define all the concepts and be clear in signposting.
Review 2
When did you complete this unit? Semester and Year
Semester 1 2021.
Teaching of the Unit (lecture, class and tutorial style)
2x 1.5 hour Lectures + seminar style.
What are assessments and exams like?
One research essay and another paper for the exam. 50% each.
Essentiality of readings? i.e. Must complete or are lectures sufficient?
Lecture sufficient.
Pros and Cons of the Unit
A single lecturer who is unfairly burdened by having to mark all assessments, give feedback and interact with a fairly large cohort and has no assistance from other tutors or lecturers.
Difficulty of unit on a scale
Quality of the unit
General feedback + tips for students
It’s a fantastic unit that covers much breath without sacrificing depth.
Review 3
When did you complete this unit? Semester and Year
First sem 2021.
Teaching of the Unit (lecture, class and tutorial style)
2x 2h lecture per week.
What are assessments and exams like?
1x 50% research essay and a 50% take home exam. Given lots of freedom in choosing your own research essay based on an area of interest, and support given in refining essay Q if needed. Very straightforward, and similar in requirements/expectations to an arts research essay. Take home exam was also a research essay on a given topic.
Essentiality of readings? i.e. Must complete or are lectures sufficient?
Not essential at all, but very interesting!
Pros and Cons of the Unit
Pros: very interesting and relevant area of law, Gerry (lecturer) is an absolute gem, very passionate and knowledgeable about the subject so lectures are highly engaging, marked relatively easily for a law subject, assessments give you a chance to explore your own interests within the topic.
Cons: not much structure – taught more closely to an arts subject with a different case study taught each week. Not necessarily a con for me as an arts/law student but some people may not vibe.
Difficulty of unit on a scale
Quality of the unit
General feedback + tips for students
Fantastic subject – highly recommend. Gerry is a very engaging lecturer who is clearly very passionate about the subject. Really interesting and relevant content.
Review 4
When did you complete this unit? Semester and Year
Sem 1 2021.
Teaching of the Unit (lecture, class and tutorial style)
Lecture.
What are assessments and exams like?
Very manageable. The major essay let’s you delve into an area that interests you, which was a really great way to allow you to show an area you’re passionate about.
Essentiality of readings? i.e. Must complete or are lectures sufficient?
Lectures are sufficient.
Pros and Cons of the Unit
I loved it.
Difficulty of unit on a scale
Quality of the unit
General feedback + tips for students
Amazing! Gerry was really engaging, the content was at times confronting but also constructive in learning about international environmental law. I loved It.
Review 5
When did you complete this unit? Semester and Year
Sem 1 2021.
Teaching of the Unit (lecture, class and tutorial style)
Lecture/workshop style – very interactive.
What are assessments and exams like?
In semester essay and take home were similar: your choice of essay topic and gerry helps you pick it.
Essentiality of readings? i.e. Must complete or are lectures sufficient?
Lectures are sufficient, I would argue that even just reading the slides is good enough.
Pros and Cons of the Unit
Very easy to follow, great lecturer, interactive and very broad. Cons are that it wasn’t recorded when I did it.
Difficulty of unit on a scale
Quality of the unit
General feedback + tips for students
If Gerry is taking it, he is hands down the best lecturer I’ve ever had. I selected this unit as an elective filler and ended up loving it because gerry really cares and the unit itself allows you to follow your own interest in environmental law.
progressivelawnetwork.org 