LAWENVIR 420 : Global Environmental Law

Law

2021 Summer School (1210) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Concepts, principles, customs, and treaties of international law as related to the protection of the global environment including: prevention of pollution, protection of the marine environment, ozone layer protection, climate change, biodiversity, the UNCED process and the legal framework for sustainable development.

Course Overview

The course examines environmental law and governance at international, regional and national levels. The global coverage includes international environmental law and draws on experiences from the EU, USA, Canada, South America, Australia and New Zealand highlighting environmental policy innovations from around the world. The topics include principles and sources of international environmental law, the UN system of environmental governance, the regimes on climate change and biodiversity, ocean governance, human rights and the environment and current developments in global governance.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 30 points at Stage II in Global Environment and Sustainable Development or LAW 211 Restriction: LAW 433

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Laws

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Explain the nature, scope, practice and objectives of global environmental law (Capability 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.3, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
  2. Explain the concepts of the global environment, state sovereignty, specific areas of environmental protection, and sustainable development. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1, 5.1 and 6.1)
  3. Justify the ethical and interdisciplinary foundations of more effective governance and law (Capability 1.3, 2.3, 4.3 and 6.3)
  4. Explain the importance of the global dimension in all aspects of legal theory and practice. (Capability 1.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.2, 4.3, 6.2 and 6.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Quiz 5% Individual Coursework
Research essay 25% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 70% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Quiz
Research essay
Final Exam
Students are required
- to complete a multiple choice online quiz (of 10 questions) at the end of the first week (worth 5% of final mark);
- write a 1250 word research essay due for submission on 3 February (worth 25% of final mark); and
- sit a 2-hour final exam at a date between 15-17 February (worth 70% of final mark).

Workload Expectations

This is a standard 15-point course. There will be around 36 hours of lectures in this course. As a general guide, you should expect a workload of three hours outside of the classroom for each hour spent in class. The guideline for the total workload for this course is 150 hours.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at the lecture component of the course. Lectures are scheduled for block delivered over a period of two and a half weeks. Lectures will be available as recordings. However, given the block nature of delivery and the small class size, learning will likely be enhanced by attendance. Moreover, lectures will include learning activities that may not be picked up on recordings.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course director, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a Student Academic and Support Adviser as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 20/01/2021 01:19 p.m.