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Course

International Environmental Law - JURD7619

Faculty: Faculty of Law

School: Faculty of Law

Course Outline: See below

Campus: Kensington Campus

Career: Postgraduate

Units of Credit: 6

EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)

Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 2

Enrolment Requirements:

Pre-requisite: 36 UOC of JURD courses for students enrolled prior to 2013. For students enrolled after 2013, pre-requisite: 72 UOC of JURD courses.

Excluded: LAWS8319

CSS Contribution Charge: 2 (more info)

Tuition Fee: See Tuition Fee Schedule

Further Information: See Class Timetable

View course information for previous years.

Description

This course will provide students with an overview of the development of international environmental law throughout the twentieth century as well as the major theoretical and policy debates that surround it. Attention will primarily be devoted to the international legal responses to global and regional environmental and resource management issues. Basic principles will be discussed prior to taking a sectoral approach in looking at the application of international environmental law in certain specific issue areas. The course does not have an Australian focus. Rather, focus will be international legal and policy responses adopted to deal with environmental problems in an international and transboundary context.

This course is also available to students undertaking relevant postgraduate non-law degree programs at UNSW provided such enrolment is approved by the appopriate non-law Faculty.

Recommended Prior Knowledge

None, but JURD7481 Public International Law or equivalent is a recommended pre- or co-requisite.

Course Objectives

Upon completing this course you should be able to:
  • Recall and recount the historical origins and specifics of the on-going development of the current international environmental legal regime
  • Explain in your own words the meaning of legal concepts, doctrines and principles we have studied
  • Comprehend and evaluate the importance of international environmental law to international relations and the requirements of the international community in protecting the global environment
  • Identify and analyse issues involved in international environmental disputes
  • Identify some key areas of international environmental law which are currently the subject of debate and reform
  • Demonstrate your ability to research and access information on international environmental law issues
  • Demonstrate your ability to think critically and to justify your ideas in a reasoned manner and communicate effectively, in speaking and writing, on matters concerning international environmental law issues

Main Topics

  • Introduction to international environmental law
  • Sources and principles of international environmental law
  • Air and atmospheric pollution
  • The marine environment
  • Climate change
  • Biological resources
  • Polar environments
  • Trade and the environment
  • Human rights and the environment

Assessment

Class participation Preparation and engagement in class, including presentation 25%
Take-home exam OR Research essay Essay: 5,000 - 7,000 words 75%
 

Course Texts

Prescribed

  • D. Hunter, J. Salzman and D. Zaelke, International Environmental Law and Policy (4th edition) (Foundation Press, 2011).
In addition to the text, students will be expected to read widely in order to gain a full understanding of the subject matter. There is a vast array of literature on all aspects of International Environmental Law and the UNSW Law Library has very good holdings in this area. Students will also need to familiarise themselves with documentation issued by international organisations available on the internet and with the online resources available through Sirius.

Law Books

Study Levels

Undergraduate Study Postgraudate Study Postgraduate Research Study Non-Award Study

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