LAWPUBL 462 : Law of the Sea

Law

2025 Summer School (1250) (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 been vital as a source of food, natural resources, biological diversity, navigation and trade, a medium for discovery and conquest, a guarantee for military maneuverability, and a prime factor in environmental balance. But they have also been a source of conflict and the victim of over-exploitation and pollution.
This course introduces students to the rules that regulate the main 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, of the historical and contemporary bases which underpin the international public regulation of the oceans, and of some of the challenges of ocean governance today.  Topics may vary from one course offering to the next and students should refer to the Canvas page for the topics that are covered in 2025.   
Taking this course will be an advantage to those 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.
The classes are meant to be a safe intellectual  environment where open discussions and constructive exchange of ideas lead to genuine debate.  Students are, therefore, encouraged to be active participants.     

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: 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
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 2.1, 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
  2. Identify and understand the main principles governing uses of the oceans, and the structure, relevance and underlying conceptual bases of the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1 and 8.1)
  3. Understand and critically evaluate some of the contemporary challenges to the framework established by the Law of the Sea Convention and appreciate the importance of an effective and balanced legal frame for oceanic activities (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1 and 8.1)
  4. Collaborate and exchange ideas, in order to critically evaluate rules, claims, positions and contemporary challenges, with a view to assessing and building on the state of play (Capability 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1)
  5. Understand how the law of the sea interacts with and relates to other areas of international regulation (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 8.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Quiz 25% Individual Test
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Collaborative research project 25% Group & Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Quiz
Final Exam
Collaborative research project
Relevant assessment dates will be announced at the start of the course. 

Workload Expectations

This is a standard 15-point 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

Although lectures will be available as recordings, attendance is expected  in order to maximize the learning experience. 

Some lectures may be delivered online. 

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 
There will be a reading list on the Canvas page for the course as well as other recommended resources and websites.   

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.

Some technical aspects have been reduced or omitted. 

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.

Published on 31/10/2024 08:37 p.m.