Program Requirements
**This program is currently not offered.**
The 45-credit LL.M. program, thesis option, in Environment is offered in collaboration with the Bieler School of Environment. This is a research-intensive, interdisciplinary, graduate program focused on developing research interests into a thesis project under the supervision of a faculty member. The program considers how various dimensions (scientific, social, legal, ethical) interact to define environment and sustainability issues.
Candidates must remain in residence for three terms for which full-time fees will be charged. The third term, usually devoted to thesis research, may be taken the Summer of the first year. If the thesis is not completed in this time, students must register for additional sessions as needed. All degree requirements must be completed within a maximum of three years of the date of first registration.
Thesis Courses (27 credits)
As part of the course Master's Thesis 1, a thesis candidate must provide a protocol to his or her supervisor setting out details as to the thesis topic, the deadlines for the completion of the various thesis courses and the schedule of meetings with the thesis supervisor. Modifications to the protocol must be made in writing and submitted to the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies).
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CMPL 612 Master's Thesis 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Comparative Law : Preparation of thesis proposal.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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CMPL 613 Master's Thesis 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Comparative Law : Preparation of literature review.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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CMPL 614 Master's Thesis 3 (3 credits)
Overview
Comparative Law : Thesis Seminar. A seminar bearing on thesis research in progress.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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CMPL 615 Master's Thesis 4 (6 credits)
Overview
Comparative Law : Thesis research report.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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CMPL 616 Master's Thesis 5 (12 credits)
Overview
Comparative Law : Completion of thesis.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Required Courses (9 credits)
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CMPL 610 Legal Research Methodology 1 (1.5 credits)
Overview
Comparative Law : Legal research methodology, including electronic legal research and the formulation of research plans.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Sheppard, Colleen (Fall)
Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken CMPL 610, CMPL 610D1/D2 prior to 202109.
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CMPL 611 Legal Research Methodology 2 (1.5 credits)
Overview
Comparative Law : Legal research methodology, including electronic legal research and the finalization of research plans.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Sheppard, Colleen (Winter)
Prerequisite: CMPL 610
Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken CMPL 610, CMPL 610D1/D2 prior to 202109.
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ENVR 615 Interdisciplinary Approach Environment and Sustainability (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Through a series of modules on current environmental and sustainability issues, this course emphasizes the value and challenges of an interdisciplinary approach by examining how different fields can work together to address these issues.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Restriction(s): Open to graduate students enrolled in the Environment Option or permission of instructors
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LAWG 601 Communication 1 (1.5 credits)
Overview
Law General : Key writing and research strategies for graduate students in law.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Abram, Zachary (Fall)
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LAWG 602 Communication 2 (1.5 credits)
Overview
Law General : Key writing and research strategies for graduate students in law.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Abram, Zachary (Winter)
Prerequisite(s): LAWG 601.
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
3-6 credits chosen from:
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ENVR 610 Foundations of Environmental Policy (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Analysis of current environmental policies to reveal implicit and explicit assumptions regarding scientific methods, hypothesis testing, subject/object, causality, certainty, deities, health, development, North-South concerns for resources, commons, national sovereignty, equity. Discussion of implications of such assumptions for building future environmental policies.
Terms: Summer 2025
Instructors: Umana-Kinitzki, Carmen (Summer)
Restriction: Enrolment in the Graduate Environment Option or enrolment in the Neotropical Environment Option (NEO) or permission of the instructor.
**Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the second lecture day and withdrawal is the fourth lecture day.
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ENVR 614 Mobilizing Research for Sustainability (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Through workshops and practice, students will develop communication strategies and acquire collaboration and leadership skills to foster innovation and help translate knowledge into action to address complex environmental and sustainability issues. Students will learn methods, build skills, and develop mindsets that can enable their research to have an impact on the most pressing issues in sustainability.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Restriction(s): Open to graduate students enrolled in the Environment Option or permission of instructor
0-3 credits chosen from:
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ENVR 585 Readings in Environment 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Interdisciplinary literature project/essays related to environment, enabling advanced-level study under guidance of Environment faculty in areas outside the scope of individual departments.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025, Summer 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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ENVR 630 Civilization and Environment (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Considers ways to reduce the human impact on Earth's life support systems through variables such as population size, wealth, technology, and conduct. Critically describes ethical frameworks for judging personal and policy choices, including post-collapse scenarios.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor
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ENVR 680 Topics in Environment 4 (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Seminars and discussion of advanced, interdisciplinary aspects of current problems in environment led by staff and/or special guests.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Restriction: students taking the Neotropical Environment Option.
Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor
Or 3 credits at the 500 level or higher recommended by the Advisory Committee and approved by the Environment Option Committee.
0-3 credits at the 500 level or higher approved by the Advisory Committee.
