Law (Thesis): Environment (LL.M.) (45 credits)
Offered by: Law (Faculty of Law)
Degree: Master of Laws
Program credit weight: 45
Program Description
**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.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
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).
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CMPL 612 | Master's Thesis 1. | 3 |
Master's Thesis 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Preparation of thesis proposal. | ||
| CMPL 613 | Master's Thesis 2. | 3 |
Master's Thesis 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Preparation of literature review. | ||
| CMPL 614 | Master's Thesis 3. | 3 |
Master's Thesis 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Thesis Seminar. A seminar bearing on thesis research in progress. | ||
| CMPL 615 | Master's Thesis 4. | 6 |
Master's Thesis 4. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Thesis research report. | ||
| CMPL 616 | Master's Thesis 5. | 12 |
Master's Thesis 5. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Completion of thesis. | ||
Required Courses (9 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CMPL 610 | Legal Research Methodology 1. | 1.5 |
Legal Research Methodology 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Legal research methodology, including electronic legal research and the formulation of research plans. | ||
| CMPL 611 | Legal Research Methodology 2. | 1.5 |
Legal Research Methodology 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Legal research methodology, including electronic legal research and the finalization of research plans. | ||
| CMPL 615 | Master's Thesis 4. | 6 |
Master's Thesis 4. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Thesis research report. | ||
| LAWG 601 | Communication 1. | 1.5 |
Communication 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Key writing and research strategies for graduate students in law. | ||
| LAWG 602 | Communication 2. | 1.5 |
Communication 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Key writing and research strategies for graduate students in law. | ||
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
3-6 credits chosen from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENVR 610 | Foundations of Environmental Policy. | 3 |
Foundations of Environmental Policy. Terms offered: Summer 2025 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. | ||
| ENVR 614 | Mobilizing Research for Sustainability. | 3 |
Mobilizing Research for Sustainability. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. 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. | ||
0-3 credits chosen from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENVR 585 | Readings in Environment 2. | 3 |
Readings in Environment 2. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Interdisciplinary literature project/essays related to environment, enabling advanced-level study under guidance of Environment faculty in areas outside the scope of individual departments. | ||
| ENVR 630 | Civilization and Environment. | 3 |
Civilization and Environment. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. 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. | ||
| ENVR 680 | Topics in Environment 4. | 3 |
Topics in Environment 4. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Seminars and discussion of advanced, interdisciplinary aspects of current problems in environment led by staff and/or special guests. | ||
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.