Students
LAW 851 – Climate Change Law
2015 – S2 Day
General Information
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| 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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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:
- Demonstrate familiarity with basic concepts on the physical aspects of climate change, including its causes and impacts, as a foundation from which to engage with other aspects of the field.
- Demonstrate a detailed understanding of Australian laws and international treaties aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by states or helping communities adapt to a changing climate.
- Explain and analyse critically and in depth the rationale for, and legal elements of, carbon pricing, carbon trading, and other emission-reduction and offset models.
- Demonstrate an ability to analyse and make sophisticated legal submissions for and against state-supported or private initiatives that impact on climate change.
- Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the evolution of climate law in Australia, with an ability to express analytical and substantiated views about its current and future applications.
- Critically compare legal and policy developments in Australia with those in other countries and regions.
- Express developed and supported views on options for formulating long-term legal responses to climate change at the domestic and international levels, including in classroom settings.
- Display confident engagement with justice/ethical considerations particular to the field of climate change and climate change law, including in classroom settings.
- Demonstrate an ability to integrate information and perspectives from other disciplines, as well as to understand why problems look different from diverse disciplinary perspectives, including in classroom settings.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Early reflection essay
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).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Display confident engagement with justice/ethical considerations particular to the field of climate change and climate change law, including in classroom settings.
- Demonstrate an ability to integrate information and perspectives from other disciplines, as well as to understand why problems look different from diverse disciplinary perspectives, including in classroom settings.
Research paper outline
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.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate familiarity with basic concepts on the physical aspects of climate change, including its causes and impacts, as a foundation from which to engage with other aspects of the field.
Class participation
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.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate familiarity with basic concepts on the physical aspects of climate change, including its causes and impacts, as a foundation from which to engage with other aspects of the field.
- Explain and analyse critically and in depth the rationale for, and legal elements of, carbon pricing, carbon trading, and other emission-reduction and offset models.
- Demonstrate an ability to analyse and make sophisticated legal submissions for and against state-supported or private initiatives that impact on climate change.
- Express developed and supported views on options for formulating long-term legal responses to climate change at the domestic and international levels, including in classroom settings.
- Display confident engagement with justice/ethical considerations particular to the field of climate change and climate change law, including in classroom settings.
- Demonstrate an ability to integrate information and perspectives from other disciplines, as well as to understand why problems look different from diverse disciplinary perspectives, including in classroom settings.
Research paper
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!
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a detailed understanding of Australian laws and international treaties aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by states or helping communities adapt to a changing climate.
- Demonstrate an ability to analyse and make sophisticated legal submissions for and against state-supported or private initiatives that impact on climate change.
- Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the evolution of climate law in Australia, with an ability to express analytical and substantiated views about its current and future applications.
- Critically compare legal and policy developments in Australia with those in other countries and regions.
Delivery and Resources
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.
Unit Schedule
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.
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/
Results
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.
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
PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Express developed and supported views on options for formulating long-term legal responses to climate change at the domestic and international levels, including in classroom settings.
- Demonstrate an ability to integrate information and perspectives from other disciplines, as well as to understand why problems look different from diverse disciplinary perspectives, including in classroom settings.
Assessment tasks
- Early reflection essay
- Class participation
PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Demonstrate familiarity with basic concepts on the physical aspects of climate change, including its causes and impacts, as a foundation from which to engage with other aspects of the field.
- Demonstrate a detailed understanding of Australian laws and international treaties aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by states or helping communities adapt to a changing climate.
Assessment tasks
- Research paper outline
- Class participation
- Research paper
PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Demonstrate a detailed understanding of Australian laws and international treaties aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by states or helping communities adapt to a changing climate.
- Demonstrate an ability to integrate information and perspectives from other disciplines, as well as to understand why problems look different from diverse disciplinary perspectives, including in classroom settings.
Assessment tasks
- Early reflection essay
- Class participation
- Research paper
PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Demonstrate an ability to analyse and make sophisticated legal submissions for and against state-supported or private initiatives that impact on climate change.
- Critically compare legal and policy developments in Australia with those in other countries and regions.
Assessment tasks
- Class participation
- Research paper
PG - Effective Communication
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Explain and analyse critically and in depth the rationale for, and legal elements of, carbon pricing, carbon trading, and other emission-reduction and offset models.
- Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the evolution of climate law in Australia, with an ability to express analytical and substantiated views about its current and future applications.
- Express developed and supported views on options for formulating long-term legal responses to climate change at the domestic and international levels, including in classroom settings.
Assessment tasks
- Class participation
- Research paper
PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Display confident engagement with justice/ethical considerations particular to the field of climate change and climate change law, including in classroom settings.
Assessment tasks
- Early reflection essay
- Class participation