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 or 42cp in LAW units at 400 or 500 level or (admission to JD and 32cp in LAW or LAWS 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 17 August |
Research paper outline | 0% | Tuesday 1 September |
Class participation | 30% | Throughout session |
Research paper | 50% | Thursday 5 November |
Due: Monday 17 August
Weighting: 20%
A short essay for the purposes of early assessment of student progress, on a legal, philosophical, moral, or historical topic related to climate change. Suggested topics will be posted on iLearn in Week 1. 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. The unit's essay-writing instructions must be carefully followed. Length: 1,400 words. To be submitted through Turnitin as a Word document (no PDFs accepted).
Due: Tuesday 1 September
Weighting: 0%
A one-page plan (Word, not PDF) on how you plan to tackle your choice of research topic, structured in accordance with the information in the essay-writing instructions. 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
Weighting: 30%
Students are expected to critically comment on the readings 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 or online. Students will not be awarded the class participation mark unless they actively engage with class activities. This is a large chunk of marks and you must show that you are on top of the reading material to earn it.
Due: Thursday 5 November
Weighting: 50%
Detailed instructions on topics and formatting and stylistic requirements will be posted early in the session and will be included in the essay-writing instructions. 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: 4,200 words. To be submitted through Turnitin as a Word document (no PDFs accepted). No extensions will be given, so plan ahead and keep working on this task throughout the semester!
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. In the absence of a successful application for disruption of studies, any assessment task submitted after its published deadline will not be graded and will receive a mark of zero.
Week 1
Introduction and sources. (All readings will be on iLearn.)
Week 2
Elementary outline of 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
Legal elements of the international climate change regime, Part III: Current developments.
Week 6
Australian climate change law.
Week 7
International mechanisms engaging developing countries, Part I: The Clean Development Mechanism.
Week 8
International mechanisms engaging developing countries, Part II: Forest protection (REDD).
Week 9
Adaptation to climate change.
Week 10
International climate finance as a key legal obligation.
Week 11
Holding countries to account: International verification and compliance.
Week 12
Transition to a low-carbon life: Can it happen fast enough?
Week 13
No lecture/tutorial this week. Students are to use the time to finalise and submit their research papers.
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/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
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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