Law, Business and Environment

  • Programme runs: Monday 23 July to Friday 10 August 2012

Programme outline

Are you interested in the role that law plays in the world of business and finance?  Are you interested in ethics and morality in the world of big business? Would you like to know more about the responsibilities that companies and Governments have towards the natural environment and the earth’s resources? Interested in what the law can do to control and help slow down climate change? Then this could be the programme for you.

This course will introduce you to the nature, sources and key concepts of business and environmental law in a practical setting so that you can see what a wide range of  professionals and managers need an awareness of law and legal obligations in modern business around the world. Law is studied at Masters level not just be lawyers and law graduates but by graduates of engineering, finance and business studies, science and politics.
Newcastle University is renowned globally for the quality of its legal research and education. This course aims to give you a taste of specialist study of Business Law and Environmental Law and Policy here at Masters level in Newcastle University by focussing on selected topics of interest.

Each week of the course will focus on a theme:

  • Introduction to Law and the Study of Law :  What is law? What do we mean when we say something is “legal” or “illegal”? Types of law – is there such a thing as International Law? What about European Law – how might that impact on my business or my life even if I am not a citizen of the European Union? The UK has an ancient and now widespread legal culture and system – the common law system – what are its sources, how do we know what the law is at any one time? What other types of legal system are there in the world apart from common law systems?

 

  • Doing Business and the Law : Why do people set up corporations? How are corporations created legally? What other legal forms of doing business or investing money are available? What legal pitfalls and requirements does a new business need to be aware of when dealing with its customers and suppliers? How easy is it to do business across national borders and what legal problems can arise as a result?

 

  • Sustainable Development and Environmental Regulation: Do humans need to protect the environment at all? If so, should we do so by reference to our own human race (future or present generations) or should we do so for the sake of the environment? What role can the law play in protecting the environment? Is law at all effective? How is the law used in the UK to facilitate environmental protection?

From beginners to experts, everyone will find something to challenge them at the Newcastle Summer School. The innovative curriculum combines lectures, practical hands-on exercises and interactive discussions based within Newcastle University Law School.

Preparation and assessment

Students will be given advance notice of all pre-programme reading material.
Depending on individual credit transfer needs, students will be assessed by a mix of on-going and final stage assessment. At the end of the summer school, students will be awarded a certificate stating the programme studied and their grade.