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Course Number: 797SF

Course Credits: 2

Environmental Law Seminar: Sustainable Fashion

Fashion is a valuable and powerful tool for creative self-expression, social commentary and community engagement. As one of the largest sectors in the global economy, the apparel industry also exacts a huge environmental cost. This seminar examines those environmental impacts, why current public and private governance systems don't adequately address them, and how law and policy can offer avenues for improvement. Covered topics include a wide range of issues raised by the linear "take-make-waste" garment lifecycle (production, consumption, disposal) including but not limited to fiber sourcing, chemical finishing, standards/certifications, greenwashing/green claims, and textile EPR. Students will analyze current and proposed U.S. and EU regulations, evaluate recent case decisions, and engage with guest speakers while also reflecting on their own purchasing habits and behaviors. The majority of class discussion focuses on the environment, but the course will address other legal areas (e.g., consumer protection, contracts, intellectual property, labor, trade) and disciplines (e.g., agriculture, economics, ethics, psychology, technology) relevant to the pursuit of a more sustainable fashion ecosystem.

Recommended: Environmental Law Survey