LAWENVIR 723 : Climate Change Law
Law
2023 Semester One (1233) (30 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
Climate change is pervasive throughout every aspect of our lives. It is complex, challenging to solve, and defies conventional solutions. Our ability to respond to its impacts will be driven largely by the development and implementation of climate policy and the legislative korowai under which that policy lives. This course weaves together threads from a variety of disciplines to assist each participant to build their kete of knowledge. You will examine principles of risk management, the policy and law relating to climate change in the international and local context, and explore the interplay of climate change law and policy with indigenous rights. The aim of this course is to provide a foundation of integrated knowledge which allows participants to think more broadly and critically about climate change, and their role in developing solutions.
Course participants do not require a legal background for this course. By way of example, previous course participants have come from backgrounds in science, economics, and policy.
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 |
Learning Outcomes
- More readily communicate knowledge in a manner that is accessible to others and can be utilised in a real world context. (Capability 4.1)
- Demonstrate an informed understanding of the risks that climate change presents in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand, including physical risk, legal risk and transition risks. (Capability 1.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 6.1)
- Be able to identify and explain the proposed policy and regulatory pathway for the management of climate related risk in Aotearoa New Zealand. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 6.1 and 6.3)
- Understand and critically evaluate historic and current approaches to addressing climate change and climate related risk in policy and the regulatory system through comparison with other jurisdictions, including the equitability of the proposed regime. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.3, 3.1, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.3)
- Independently research, analyse, and communicate a particular aspect of the regulatory system related to climate change, with a view to making recommendations by drawing on relevant theory, either for the status quo or an alternate approach, whether in their current or preferred field of legal practice, or another area of interest. (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 5.2 and 6.2)
- Be able to undertake a review of alternate viewpoints, critically evaluate the basis of ideas and comment constructively on a reasoned basis either to support or influence an alternate viewpoint. (Capability 1.1, 2.3, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.2)
- Present (orally) a concise summary of research findings. (Capability 1.1, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.2)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Discussions (using 'Perusall' and in person) | 15% | Group & Individual Coursework |
| Research Outline | 5% | Individual Coursework |
| Research Essay | 70% | Individual Coursework |
| Research Presentation | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | ||||
| Discussions (using 'Perusall' and in person) | ||||||||||
| Research Outline | ||||||||||
| Research Essay | ||||||||||
| Research Presentation | ||||||||||
Workload Expectations
This is a standard 30-point course. There will be around 72 hours of lectures in this course. As a general guide, you should expect a workload of 4 hours outside of the classroom for each hour spent in class. The guideline for the total workload for this course is 300 hours.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
The course is conducted in person; it is run as one 3-hour session split into two sections. The first section is comprised of the lecture, the second is comprised of group discussion. This entirety of the session will be recorded.
The group discussion reflects and extends on any comments that students have added to the online Perusal discussion reading during the week. Students have found great benefit in being present for these discussions. We will review the ability to broad cast the discussion segment live to the student group.
As there is no final exam attendance on campus is not required for the assessment pieces. If you are unable to attend the discussions sessions (either in person or via zoom where available) you will need to provide some well thought out written responses to the weekly reading material.
Where possible, study material will be released progressively throughout the course.
This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.
Learning 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.
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.
The course has been continuously improved and updated to reflect experiences of previous courses.
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.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
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 course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, 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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.