LAWPUBL 462 : Law of the Sea

Law

2022 Summer School (1220) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

An examination of the history of the development of the law of the sea; the sources of the contemporary law of the sea, leading to the adoption of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; and the legal regime of various maritime zones (territorial sea, exclusive economic zone, high seas etc). Particular issues such as the settlement of disputes, maritime delimitation, maritime security, fisheries and bioprospecting are also addressed.

Course Overview

The oceans cover more than 70% of the planet; they have historically been vital as a source of food, natural resources, biological diversity, navigation and trade, a medium for discovery and conquest, a guarantee for military manoeuvrability, and a prime factor in environmental balance. Understandably, they are also a source of conflict and the victim of overexploitation and pollution.
This course introduces students to the rules that regulate the principal public uses of the oceans and builds upon the achievements of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (which has been described as a “constitution for the oceans”). The course aims to give students an understanding of the main principles governing uses of the oceans. 
It will be an advantage to those students who wish to pursue studies at a level that will enable them to practice, advise, regulate, research, write or lecture on the law of the sea, oceans policy and maritime affairs.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 30 points at Stage II in International Relations and Business, or LAW 211 Restriction: LAW 494, LAWPUBL 435

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. Identify and evaluate the historical and theoretical underpinnings of the law of the sea (Capability 1.1, 2.2, 4.1 and 6.2)
  2. Identify and understand the main principles governing uses of the oceans, and the structure, relevance and underlying conceptual basis of the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention (Capability 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1 and 5.1)
  3. Understand and critically evaluate some of the contemporary challenges to the framework established by the Law of the Sea Convention (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1 and 5.1)
  4. Demonstrate effective written communication skills (Capability 4.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Quiz 15% Individual Test
Short answers 15% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 70% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Quiz
Short answers
Final Exam
Relevant assessment dates will be announced at the start of the course. 

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 scheduled activities.
Lectures will be available as recordings. 

Some lectures may be delivered online. 

The activities for the course are scheduled as a summer school course. Details will be provided in the timetable. 

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.

The lectures will constantly refer to the 1982 UN Law of the Sea Convention. Students are advised to print a copy of the Convention or have a copy stored on their computers,  and bring it to each class. 
The Convention is available here:
https://www.un.org/Depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/unclos_e.pdf


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.

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.

Published on 16/12/2021 09:32 a.m.