Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Alexander Zahar
Contact via alexander.zahar@mq.edu.au
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MEnvLaw or PGCertEnvLaw or PGDipEnvLaw or MIntEnvLaw or PGCertIntEnvLaw or PGDipIntEnvLaw or MIntTrdeComLaw or PGCertIntTrdeComLaw or PGDipIntTrdeComLaw or MIntRelMIntTrdeComLaw or MPP or PGDipPP or LLM in (Environmental Law or International Environmental Law) or 42cp in LAW units at 400 or 500 level or (admission to JD and 32cp in LAW units at 800 level)
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
Co-badged with LAW543.
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Unit description |
Unit description
Climate change is a vast subject that has been shaped by scientists, economists, inventors, environmental activists, policy-makers, and politicians... as well as by judges, legislators, and lawyers. Almost daily we encounter a new development or opinion concerning climate change, but what do we know about the legal framework that has formed around the subject? This unit is an introduction to the broader subject of climate change with a particular focus on its legal aspects. It is designed to help students understand the fundamentals of climate law at both the international and domestic levels, in particular the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and Australia's new carbon legislation.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Due |
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Early reflection essay | 20% | Monday 25 August |
Research paper outline | 0% | Monday 15 September |
Class participation | 30% | Throughout session or at OCS |
Research paper | 50% | Monday 17 November |
Due: Monday 25 August
Weighting: 20%
A short essay for early assessment of student progress, on a philosophical, moral, or historical topic related to climate change. Suggested topics will be posted on iLearn in Week 2. This is meant as a reflective "ideas essay" (a student’s own ideas!), rather than a research essay, but some reading and referencing will be required. Length: 1,500 words. To be submitted through Turnitin as a Word document (no PDFs accepted).
Due: Monday 15 September
Weighting: 0%
A one-page plan (Word, not PDF) on how you will tackle your choice of research topic, structured in accordance with instructions to be provided. The outline is to be emailed to the Convenor by the end of the day on which it is due. While no marks are awarded for this item, it is compulsory. The Convenor will give you feedback on your outline. Its purpose is to ensure that you are on track to complete a high-quality research paper.
Due: Throughout session or at OCS
Weighting: 30%
Students are expected to discuss the reading and lecture materials in class during the semester. Students are also expected to: engage with other students and the Convenor in an appropriate way that involves analysis of the assigned material; and attempt informed responses to questions posed by the Convenor or other students in class. Students will not be awarded the class participation mark simply for attending. This is a large chunk of marks and you must show that you are on top of the reading material to earn it. Please be aware that the Thursday sessions (or the on-campus sessions, if you are an external student) will consist of a mix of lectures and tutorials. Tutorial participation is compulsory, so you are in practice obliged to attend each and every Thursday session (or the whole OCS). Student attendance will be recorded. A maximum of two absences will not be penalised. Any more absences will mean a FAIL for the unit.
Due: Monday 17 November
Weighting: 50%
Detailed instructions on topics and formatting and stylistic requirements will be posted early in the session. Please make sure that you read all instructions, both before you start writing your research paper and before you submit it. You may propose your own topic, with the Convenor’s prior approval. This is intended to be a thought-provoking exercise to stimulate students to explore in depth a topic of genuine interest to them. Length: 4,500 words. To be submitted through Turnitin as a Word document (no PDFs accepted). No extensions will be given, so plan ahead!
Compulsory weekly readings: You will find these on iLearn.
Recommended textbook: A. Zahar, J. Peel, and L. Godden, Australian Climate Law in Global Context, Cambridge University Press, 2012. Several copies are held in the Library.
Lectures will be recorded and made available through iLearn.
Policy on late submissions. I quote from the Law School assessment policy: "In the absence of a successful application for special consideration, any assessment task submitted after its published deadline will not be graded and receive a mark of zero."
Week 1
Introduction and sources. (All readings will be on iLearn.)
Week 2
Brief introduction to the science of climate change.
Week 3
Legal elements of the international climate change regime, Part I: Framework Convention.
Week 4
Legal elements of the international climate change regime, Part II: Kyoto Protocol.
Week 5
Australian climate change law, Part I.
Week 6
Australian climate change law, Part II.
Week 7
International mechanisms engaging developing countries, Part I: The Clean Development Mechanism. *No seminar this week. A recorded lecture will be provided instead.*
OCS for external students: 28-29 September
An OCS program will be posted in Week 7. Postgraduate students will have longer OCS sessions than undergraduate students, but need not attend a third day. There will be no class on the 30th.
Week 8
International mechanisms engaging developing countries, Part II: Forest protection (REDD).
Week 9
International climate finance as a key legal obligation.
Week 10
Transition to a low-carbon life: The promise of technology.
Week 11
Adaptation to climate change.
Week 12
Holding countries to account: International verification and compliance.
Week 13
Revision and conclusions.
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
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