Students

LEX 102 – Sustainability, Science and the Law

2014 – S2 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Kirsten Davies
Contact via kirsty.davies@mq.edu.au
E7A, room 717
By appointment
Administrator, lecturer, tutor
Maryam Khalid
Contact via maryam.khalid@mq.edu.au
W6A, Room 112
Tuesdays 1- 2 pm or by appointment
Tutor
Dr Pradip Royhan
Contact via pradip.royhan@mq.edu.au
Building W3A, Room 335
Wednesdays from 2-3 pm or by appointment
Tutor
Dr Tanzim Afoz
Contact via tanzim.afroz@mq.edu.au
Building W3A, Room 341
Thursdays, 11am-12 midday or by appointment
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
Are human rights, economic prosperity, and community justice sustainable when we are running out of resources? This unit critiques whether legal innovation can integrate competing perspectives of environmental conservation, economic growth, democratic freedom, scientific certainty, and political practicality. We examine science-law relationships, socio-political governance, regulatory design, and capacity building. We consider legislation, court cases, treaties, institutions, and actors as sources of rights, obligations and influence. We illustrate water law, logging, fisheries, pollution, climate, food security, urbanisation, international trade, etc. Your major project will mentor you in legal problem-solving, stakeholder analysis and creativity to develop law reforms addressing global sustainability issues.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • 1. Define sustainability and the concept of sustainable development, and demonstrate a thorough understanding of philosophical principles and environmental ethics in sustainability.
  • 2. Define and describe the main issues currently in play in sustainability debates, including examples at local, regional and global levels of interest.
  • 3. Identify the main stakeholders in sustainability, and describe the roles of law, science and society in addressing sustainability issues.
  • 4. Critically assess sustainability issues in multidisciplinary and pluralistic (multi-standpoint) perspectives in terms of science and general sustainability principles.
  • 5. Demonstrate verbally and in writing, a general knowledge of legal concepts, systems and processes and institutions that regulate environmental values and sustainability practices.
  • 6. Develop viable options for change in the law and other policy dimensions, verbally and in writing to improve sustainability outcomes, through in-depth legal analysis, creativity and problem solving skills.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Assignment 1 20% 5pm Friday ( Week 3)
Assignment Two – Essay Plan 35% 5pm Friday (Week 8)
Assignment Three 35% 5pm Friday (Week 11)
Participation 10% ongoing

Assignment 1

Due: 5pm Friday ( Week 3)
Weighting: 20%

Students will be required to summarise their selected case study and explain their reasoning for choosing the topic. Students should write 750-1000 words (excluding the reference list), and include six references. Referencing is to include ‘in text’ citations and the reference list.

Assignments will be marked as follows:

Clarity of expression/ argument as to why you have selected this case study (55%), writing style (30% ) and referencing (15%)

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1. Define sustainability and the concept of sustainable development, and demonstrate a thorough understanding of philosophical principles and environmental ethics in sustainability.
  • 5. Demonstrate verbally and in writing, a general knowledge of legal concepts, systems and processes and institutions that regulate environmental values and sustainability practices.

Assignment Two – Essay Plan

Due: 5pm Friday (Week 8)
Weighting: 35%

This exercise builds on Assignment 1, by asking you to think through what you plan to say in your essay and to provide some analysis of your main sources. Approach this assignment as though the case study you have elected has been reopened. Imagine that you are the presiding judge re-examining the scientific  body of evidence, would you make the same ruling? Do not write this up as a court ruling, please keep to the assignment structure but we want to read your personal analysis of this case.

For this assessment, students will be required to submit a 1000-1200-word paper (excluding the reference list):

  • Stating the case study that you will be answering

  • Providing a provisional answer to the question in the form of a thesis statement

  • Providing a brief outline of possible main points

  • Compiling an annotated bibliography of five entries.

 

Assignments will be marked as follows:

Essay Plan (45%), annotated bibliography (40%) and referencing (15%)


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1. Define sustainability and the concept of sustainable development, and demonstrate a thorough understanding of philosophical principles and environmental ethics in sustainability.
  • 2. Define and describe the main issues currently in play in sustainability debates, including examples at local, regional and global levels of interest.
  • 5. Demonstrate verbally and in writing, a general knowledge of legal concepts, systems and processes and institutions that regulate environmental values and sustainability practices.

Assignment Three

Due: 5pm Friday (Week 11)
Weighting: 35%

Building on research frameworks developed in Assignments 1 and 2, students will be required to submit a 2000-2200-word (excluding the reference list) discussion and conclusion. This assignment will involve developing the research framework set out in Assignment 2, and will act as the body and conclusion of a research paper. Remember in the discussion and concluding sections of your assignment to discuss this case as if you are re-examining the evidence. Explain if you concur with the ruling or would you have made a different judgement?

 

Assignments will be marked as follows:

Research (20%), writing style ( 20%), analysis and content ( 25%), innovative and original ideas( 20%), referencing ( 15%).  


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1. Define sustainability and the concept of sustainable development, and demonstrate a thorough understanding of philosophical principles and environmental ethics in sustainability.
  • 2. Define and describe the main issues currently in play in sustainability debates, including examples at local, regional and global levels of interest.
  • 3. Identify the main stakeholders in sustainability, and describe the roles of law, science and society in addressing sustainability issues.
  • 4. Critically assess sustainability issues in multidisciplinary and pluralistic (multi-standpoint) perspectives in terms of science and general sustainability principles.
  • 5. Demonstrate verbally and in writing, a general knowledge of legal concepts, systems and processes and institutions that regulate environmental values and sustainability practices.
  • 6. Develop viable options for change in the law and other policy dimensions, verbally and in writing to improve sustainability outcomes, through in-depth legal analysis, creativity and problem solving skills.

Participation

Due: ongoing
Weighting: 10%

Online discussion and tutorial attendance


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 3. Identify the main stakeholders in sustainability, and describe the roles of law, science and society in addressing sustainability issues.
  • 4. Critically assess sustainability issues in multidisciplinary and pluralistic (multi-standpoint) perspectives in terms of science and general sustainability principles.
  • 5. Demonstrate verbally and in writing, a general knowledge of legal concepts, systems and processes and institutions that regulate environmental values and sustainability practices.
  • 6. Develop viable options for change in the law and other policy dimensions, verbally and in writing to improve sustainability outcomes, through in-depth legal analysis, creativity and problem solving skills.

Delivery and Resources

This unit requires students to attend or listen online (through Echo360) a weekly one-hour lecture. Students are also required to attend a one-hour tutorial each week. External students are encouraged to attend lectures whenever possible.

 

Student workload, in accordance with university guidelines, is 3 hours per credit point per week (over a 15 week term), and can be estimated as follows:

 

22 hours – attendance of lectures, tutorials (compulsory for internal students) and online participation ( for external students)

55 hours – readings, review of online content and self-study

63 hours – assessment tasks

Online units can be accessed at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/.

PC and Internet access are required. Basic computer skills (e.g. internet browsing) and skills in word processing are also a requirement.

Please consult teaching staff for any further, more specific, requirements.

Unit Schedule

Unit Schedule

 

 

 

 

 

Week

Lecture

Tutorial

Reading and Assessment

Week 1 (Week commencing 4th August)

Introduction

Introduction, survey and  assignment support

See iLearn page for all readings

Week 2 (Week commencing 11 August)

Principles of Sustainability

Topic: Principles of Sustainability and  assignment support

 

Week 3 (Week commencing 18 August)

Principles of Law

Topic: Principles of Law  and  assignment support

Assignment One due Friday 22nd August at 5pm (submitted via iLearn)

Week 4

(Week commencing 25 August)

The role of Science- connectivity between Sustainability, Science and Law

Topic:  The role of Science- connectivity between Sustainability, Science and Law  and  assignment support

 

Week 5

(Week commencing 1 September)

Greatest challenge of sustainability, science and law, Global climate change

Guest speaker: Professor Lesley Hughes

Topic: Greatest challenge of sustainability, science and law, Global climate change  and  assignment support

 

Week 6

(Week commencing 8 September)

Political influences on sustainability, science and law

Topic :

Political influences on sustainability, science and law  and  assignment support

 

Week 7

(Week commencing 15 September)

Corporate sustainability

Guest speaker: Professor Dexter Dunphy TBC, international expert in corporate sustainability

 Topic: guest speaker lecture discussion and assignment support

 

 

Mid –Semester break from 20 September – 6 October

Week 8 (Week commencing 7 October)

Customary law

Case study:  Customary law in Vanuatu

Case study:

Customary law in Vanuatu  and  assignment support

Assignment Two due

Friday 10th October at 5pm (submitted via iLearn)

Week 9

(Week commencing 13 October)

Human rights

 

Case study

 

Case study:

Human rights  and  assignment support

 

Week 10

(Week commencing 20 October)

Gender

Case study  

 Topic;

Gender   and  assignment support

 

Week 11

(Week commencing 27 October)

Governance and sustainability

 

Guest speaker:

Bryce Wilde, CEO of the ( NSW) Natural Resources Commission

Discussion re guest speaker and  assignment support

Assignment Three due Friday  at 5pm (submitted via iLearn)

Week 12

(Week commencing 3 November)

Summary of key learning's

 

Concluding lecture

Final survey

 

 

 

 

 

Policies and Procedures

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.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

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.

Graduate Capabilities

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 3. Identify the main stakeholders in sustainability, and describe the roles of law, science and society in addressing sustainability issues.
  • 4. Critically assess sustainability issues in multidisciplinary and pluralistic (multi-standpoint) perspectives in terms of science and general sustainability principles.
  • 5. Demonstrate verbally and in writing, a general knowledge of legal concepts, systems and processes and institutions that regulate environmental values and sustainability practices.
  • 6. Develop viable options for change in the law and other policy dimensions, verbally and in writing to improve sustainability outcomes, through in-depth legal analysis, creativity and problem solving skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment 1
  • Assignment Two – Essay Plan
  • Assignment Three

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • 1. Define sustainability and the concept of sustainable development, and demonstrate a thorough understanding of philosophical principles and environmental ethics in sustainability.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment 1
  • Assignment Two – Essay Plan
  • Assignment Three

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 2. Define and describe the main issues currently in play in sustainability debates, including examples at local, regional and global levels of interest.
  • 3. Identify the main stakeholders in sustainability, and describe the roles of law, science and society in addressing sustainability issues.
  • 4. Critically assess sustainability issues in multidisciplinary and pluralistic (multi-standpoint) perspectives in terms of science and general sustainability principles.
  • 5. Demonstrate verbally and in writing, a general knowledge of legal concepts, systems and processes and institutions that regulate environmental values and sustainability practices.
  • 6. Develop viable options for change in the law and other policy dimensions, verbally and in writing to improve sustainability outcomes, through in-depth legal analysis, creativity and problem solving skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment 1
  • Assignment Two – Essay Plan
  • Assignment Three

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 2. Define and describe the main issues currently in play in sustainability debates, including examples at local, regional and global levels of interest.
  • 3. Identify the main stakeholders in sustainability, and describe the roles of law, science and society in addressing sustainability issues.
  • 5. Demonstrate verbally and in writing, a general knowledge of legal concepts, systems and processes and institutions that regulate environmental values and sustainability practices.
  • 6. Develop viable options for change in the law and other policy dimensions, verbally and in writing to improve sustainability outcomes, through in-depth legal analysis, creativity and problem solving skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment 1
  • Assignment Two – Essay Plan
  • Assignment Three

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 4. Critically assess sustainability issues in multidisciplinary and pluralistic (multi-standpoint) perspectives in terms of science and general sustainability principles.
  • 5. Demonstrate verbally and in writing, a general knowledge of legal concepts, systems and processes and institutions that regulate environmental values and sustainability practices.
  • 6. Develop viable options for change in the law and other policy dimensions, verbally and in writing to improve sustainability outcomes, through in-depth legal analysis, creativity and problem solving skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment 1
  • Assignment Two – Essay Plan
  • Assignment Three

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 4. Critically assess sustainability issues in multidisciplinary and pluralistic (multi-standpoint) perspectives in terms of science and general sustainability principles.
  • 6. Develop viable options for change in the law and other policy dimensions, verbally and in writing to improve sustainability outcomes, through in-depth legal analysis, creativity and problem solving skills.

Assessment task

  • Assignment Three

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 1. Define sustainability and the concept of sustainable development, and demonstrate a thorough understanding of philosophical principles and environmental ethics in sustainability.
  • 2. Define and describe the main issues currently in play in sustainability debates, including examples at local, regional and global levels of interest.
  • 3. Identify the main stakeholders in sustainability, and describe the roles of law, science and society in addressing sustainability issues.
  • 4. Critically assess sustainability issues in multidisciplinary and pluralistic (multi-standpoint) perspectives in terms of science and general sustainability principles.
  • 5. Demonstrate verbally and in writing, a general knowledge of legal concepts, systems and processes and institutions that regulate environmental values and sustainability practices.
  • 6. Develop viable options for change in the law and other policy dimensions, verbally and in writing to improve sustainability outcomes, through in-depth legal analysis, creativity and problem solving skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment 1
  • Assignment Two – Essay Plan
  • Assignment Three
  • Participation

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 1. Define sustainability and the concept of sustainable development, and demonstrate a thorough understanding of philosophical principles and environmental ethics in sustainability.
  • 2. Define and describe the main issues currently in play in sustainability debates, including examples at local, regional and global levels of interest.
  • 3. Identify the main stakeholders in sustainability, and describe the roles of law, science and society in addressing sustainability issues.
  • 4. Critically assess sustainability issues in multidisciplinary and pluralistic (multi-standpoint) perspectives in terms of science and general sustainability principles.
  • 5. Demonstrate verbally and in writing, a general knowledge of legal concepts, systems and processes and institutions that regulate environmental values and sustainability practices.
  • 6. Develop viable options for change in the law and other policy dimensions, verbally and in writing to improve sustainability outcomes, through in-depth legal analysis, creativity and problem solving skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment 1
  • Assignment Two – Essay Plan
  • Assignment Three
  • Participation

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 2. Define and describe the main issues currently in play in sustainability debates, including examples at local, regional and global levels of interest.
  • 3. Identify the main stakeholders in sustainability, and describe the roles of law, science and society in addressing sustainability issues.
  • 4. Critically assess sustainability issues in multidisciplinary and pluralistic (multi-standpoint) perspectives in terms of science and general sustainability principles.
  • 5. Demonstrate verbally and in writing, a general knowledge of legal concepts, systems and processes and institutions that regulate environmental values and sustainability practices.
  • 6. Develop viable options for change in the law and other policy dimensions, verbally and in writing to improve sustainability outcomes, through in-depth legal analysis, creativity and problem solving skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment 1
  • Assignment Two – Essay Plan
  • Assignment Three