All VLS Courses
Ecology of Food and Agriculture
A critical examination of several case studies drawn broadly from the science, law, politics, economics and policy of food and agriculture. The course also has the broader goals of teaching the student to critically read the scientific literature, and to effectively apply science in diverse legal and political settings.
Explores diverse advanced topics and viewpoints over environmental law and policy, through discussion and lectures from environmental scholars who will present their scholarship to the seminar.
A science and law course taught from the perspective of a scientist. This course examines the science, methods, principles and limitations of risk assessment and, more broadly, teaches methods of evaluating and critiquing scientific information.
Science for Environmental Law
Introduces students to the science critical to environmental law and policy, including climate science, air pollution, toxicology, and natural resource management. It also introduces students to scientific thinking and culture, and explores some of the challenges involved in effectively using science in legal and policy decision-making.
Download the 2013 Summer Course Syllabus
Through case studies, this course explores the manipulation of scientific information underpinning some public policy controversies such us global climate change, abortion, homosexuality, DNA forensics, evolution, genetically modified organisms, and debates over the safety and effectiveness of prescription drugs. The course also has the broader goals of teaching the student to critically read and identify political or social bias on scientific literature.