Natural Resources Law & Policy Syllabus
Fall 2004

Professor Donald J. Kochan
Office: Kennedy Hall, Room 442
tel. (714) 628-2618; fax (714) 628-2576
kochan@chapman.edu

Classroom 374
TR 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm

Required Text
James Rasband et al, Natural Resources Law and Policy (2004)

Office Hours
TR 2-4; or by appointment.

Grading and Course Requirements

There are 4 principal requirements in this course:

(1) Each student must complete the assigned readings and participate in class discussion. Text and handout readings will take place through the end of October. The only required readings in November will be the draft papers of fellow students.

(2) Each student is required to complete a scholarly paper of substantial length on an area of natural resources law and policy. The article should be in law review article style, well supported by authority with citations in Bluebook form. Students shall consult with Professor Kochan on their topic and receive approval for it. Although students will have latitude in choosing a topic, the general theme is to critically examine an area of natural resources law and policy through various analytical and theoretical lenses and perspectives. The paper should not be simply a doctrinal piece explaining the state of the law. Instead, it should make an original contribution to the scholarship examining the process and product involved in establishing natural resources law and policy. Once topics are chosen, students may consult with Professor Kochan as they progress in their research and writing. First drafts of the paper are due on October 26. Final drafts of the paper are due by 9 am on December 28, 2004 (delivery of hard copy and email of electronic copy required). This paper will satisfy the Chapman writing requirement, although Professor Kochan retains discretion to deny approval for papers that do not meet Chapman's stated criteria or are otherwise of low quality.

(3) Each student must present their paper at a workshop during one of the November class sessions. The presentation should be approximately 15-20 minutes in length, with the remainder of the time devoted to comments, questions, and discussion. Workshop slots will be determined initially by a drawing of dates. Slots are tradeable among students. However, the trading market closes on October 14 at which time Professor Kochan must be notified of final slot identification.

(4) Each student is required to read and critically evaluate every other student's paper prior to each workshop. Each student shall summarize their thoughts and comments in a 1-2 page typed document that shall be turned in on the date each paper is presented. Workshop papers shall be made available to students 1 week before each workshop. This commenting requirement is not intended to involve notes on punctuation, spelling, etc. Feel free to share those personally with classmates. The assigned comments should focus on the substance of the thesis and analysis - with criticisms, suggestions, questions, identification of areas that need clarification or further support, etc. Of course, students should also tell their classmates what they're doing right as well. Independent from these written comments, each student shall participate in the question and comment period at each workshop.

Grades will be based on each of these requirements:

85% -- Final paper
15% -- Class participation, workshop participation, written comments on papers, and personal workshop presentation performance