Back to Introduction to Environmental Law and Policy
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Introduction to Environmental Law and Policy

Environmental law may be the one institution standing between us and planetary exhaustion. It is also an institution that needs to be reconciled with human liberty and economic aspirations. This course considers these issues and provides a tour though existing legal regimes governing pollution, water law, endangered species, toxic substances, environmental impact analyses, and environmental risk. Note: The Environmental Law & Policy Course will close for new learner enrollment on February 22, 2019. Learners who have already enrolled will continue to see it on their Coursera Dashboard as long as they remain enrolled in the course. If you are currently enrolled in this course, please see the announcement sent on February 19, 2019, for additional details.

Status: Water Resource Management
Status: Legal Research
Course15 hours

Featured reviews

LS

5.0Reviewed Aug 8, 2020

Excellent course! Introduces the learners the wonderful world of environmental law - both conceptually and technically. Very well-paced and excellent compilation of cases from across the world.

TU

5.0Reviewed Nov 7, 2015

I was very satisfied with this course because it described the system and policy regarding Environmental Law in U.S., and provided the relationship between the current law and conventional nuisance.

LH

5.0Reviewed Apr 19, 2018

Incredible course with an engaging professor who makes you want to learn more with every lesson.The best course I saw on Coursera and exactly what I would appreciate in any course, online or not.

IA

4.0Reviewed Jun 28, 2017

It was a good course, but I was little bit disappointed that it was very restricted to US only. I know the professor is from there, but a few cases from around the world would have been nice.

MS

5.0Reviewed Jun 2, 2020

Really great class. Covers all the main topics of environmental law. The Professor is very interesting, informative, and clear. A great introductory class for environmental topics in the legal realm.

LT

5.0Reviewed Mar 26, 2022

Fantastic teacher and great content - loved the legal and policy discussions, as well as the international context. Would highly recommend for those interested in dipping their toes into the subject.

SB

5.0Reviewed May 12, 2020

A very useful course. Although basic, but very very stimulating. I have downloaded a few books on environmental Law and want to go deeper, explore more and probably do a regular course later.

KS

5.0Reviewed Oct 21, 2020

I thoroughly enjoyed this course and the professor's ability to eloquently describe different aspects in (environmental) law in an understandable way. I'll have to continue to take more courses!

CK

4.0Reviewed Oct 4, 2016

This course was well organized and highlighted the most influential environmental law cases in the US. It would be great if the course could be updated to reflect the recent COP21-Paris Agreement

MM

5.0Reviewed May 12, 2024

Very informative and interesting course. Very good teacher. Thank you. A small comment: I think it would be better to have the case readings before the lecture, as the lectures refer to those.

TD

5.0Reviewed Aug 3, 2020

Prof. Don Hornstein is one of the best professors I've had the priviledge of being taught by. I enjoyed his teaching style and course content immensely. Thank you so much for this opportunity.

HM

5.0Reviewed Jun 11, 2020

This course is a great introduction to positive environmental law. The only area that I think that there could be room for improvement on is that I wish that there were more written assignments.

All reviews

Showing: 20 of 851

Marissa Johnsey
5.0
Reviewed Jan 10, 2019
Divya Khandelwal
5.0
Reviewed Aug 15, 2017
Ricardo Schiefer
5.0
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Leda Harmicar
5.0
Reviewed Apr 20, 2018
Dave Tamayo
5.0
Reviewed Dec 27, 2017
Richard Kim Millsap
5.0
Reviewed Jun 22, 2017
Phil Carew
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Reviewed Nov 15, 2017
Marietta cook larsen
5.0
Reviewed Apr 5, 2016
Fazla Zawadul Arabi
5.0
Reviewed Aug 11, 2020
Ken Poland
5.0
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JL
5.0
Reviewed Aug 8, 2016
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Christianne Zakour
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Dr. Jigisha Singh
5.0
Reviewed May 22, 2020
Sameen Javlikar
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Snehal S. Patel
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Reviewed Aug 29, 2020
Lee Tudor
5.0
Reviewed Mar 27, 2022
Kristin Wenger
3.0
Reviewed Jun 19, 2018
May Bhetraratana
5.0
Reviewed Nov 26, 2021
Edaliza Gargar
5.0
Reviewed May 23, 2017