LAWENVIR 741 : Special Topic: Sustainability and Natural Resources Law
Law
2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)
Course Overview
This course examines the normative concept of sustainability in the international context, and its application through law and policy in the use and development of natural resources in New Zealand. Specific attention will be given to minerals, hydrocarbons and other energy resources, and selected natural resources including water, fisheries and forestry. The course includes a comparative element with selected examples of approaches to the development of natural resources in Canada and Australia. The course will be of interest to those who may intend to work in legal practice, in government service, in public interest organizations, or in the private sector including mining and energy development.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
Capability 1: | People and Place |
Capability 2: | Sustainability |
Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
Capability 6: | Communication |
Capability 7: | Collaboration |
Capability 8: | Ethics and Professionalism |
Learning Outcomes
- Identify and critically evaluate the juridical and normative foundations of the sustainability principle internationally. (Capability 2.1, 4.1, 5.1 and 7.1)
- Identify and critically evaluate the extent to which the international normative ethos of sustainable management has been adopted and implemented in New Zealand law and policy. (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1, 6.1 and 7.1)
- Engage with and apply the ethos of sustainability through law and policy to the management and development of selected natural resources in New Zealand. (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 3.1 and 4.1)
- Exhibit an understanding of the interrelationship between government policy, administrative procedures and common law rules of law in the context of development of natural resources such as minerals, forestry and fisheries. (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1)
- Articulate and apply key principles of sustainable management under the Resource Management Act 1991 to natural resource development case studies. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 3.1, 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1)
- Understand and critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the current legal regime in New Zealand for sustainable management of selected natural resources such as minerals, fisheries and forestry. (Capability 1.1, 3.1, 4.1, 5.1, 7.1 and 8.1)
- Compare and contrast the approach to sustainable use and management of natural resources in other similar jurisdictions; e.g., Canada and Australia. (Capability 2.1, 4.1 and 5.1)
- Demonstrate advanced research, analytical, oral and written communication skills. (Capability 1.2, 3.1, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1 and 8.1)
Assessments
Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
---|---|---|
Coursework | 50% | Individual Coursework |
Research essay | 50% | Individual Coursework |
2 types | 100% |
Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |||
Coursework | ||||||||||
Research essay |
The coursework will include some discussion, group-work and presentations.
Workload Expectations
This is a 15-point Master's course. There will be around 18 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 or Online
Attendance is expected at lectures and workshops.
Lectures will be available as recordings.
The course will include group discussions.
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.
Students will be advised of any changes made as a result of feedback.
Other Information
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations 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. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.
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 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.