Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Paul Govind
Contact via paul.govind@mq.edu.au
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(6cp in LAW or LAWS units at 300 level) or (39cp including ENV267 or LAWS259)
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
The unit begins with an introduction to International Law and the evolution of international environmental law in the context of the sustainable development debate. The focus is on the response of global and regional legal regimes to changing scientific knowledge and public pressure for urgent cooperative action to address transboundary and global environmental problems. Particular issues explored include: ozone depletion; climate change; loss of biodiversity; trade and environment; access to genetic resources and biotechnology; and human rights and the environment.
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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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IEL concepts | 10% | 22/8/2016 |
Written essay | 30% | 21/09/2016 |
Final Assessment | 50% | 9/11/2016 |
Class Participation | 10% | Ongoing |
Due: 22/8/2016
Weighting: 10%
Students are to produce brief answers to set questions concerning the recognition of key institutions and concepts that are fundamental to the operation of modern International Environmental Law.
Due: 21/09/2016
Weighting: 30%
All students must answer a set question utilising the course readings as set out in this Unit Guide and additional independent research. The question will be designed to ensure that students understand and can explain key concepts and the foundation of international environmental law. The questions will be provided via the iLearn page. Students must display independent research in accordance with the 500 level statuts of this unit. The answers should be fully referenced according to the Australian Guide to Legal Citation. [Word Length maximum 2500 words, excluding footnotes and bibliography]
NB: The deadline for this task approximately 2 weeks before external students.
Due: 9/11/2016
Weighting: 50%
Students are required to complete a Final Assessment. The task will be issued on 7/11/2016, via the online site, and three days will be given for its completion. The task will cover the entire course. The answers should be fully referenced according to the Australian Guide to Legal Citation. [Word Length maximum 2500 words, excluding footnotes]
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%
Assessment for this unit includes class participation. Students should ensure they have completed the required reading for that week before each class, and be prepared to discuss this material in the tutorial session. Students will not be awarded participation marks just for attending class. Assessment is based on the following:
Please note that the onus to participate in class is on you not on the Convener. In other words, it is not the job of the Convener to engage you in discussion so that you may avail yourself of the class participation assessment.
REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND/OR MATERIALS
Prescribed Textbook
Pierre-Marie Dupuy and Jorge E. Vinuales, International Environmental Law - A Modern Introduction (Cambridge University Press, 2015) ISBN: 9781107673342.
Recommended Additional Texts If you have not done international law before it may be useful to have access to a basic international law text, such as: Dixon, M, Textbook on International Law, London: Blackstone Press Ltd, 6th ed 2007; OR Shaw, M N, International Law, Cambridge University Press, 6th ed 2008; OR Triggs, G., International Law: Contemporary Principles and Practices, LexisNexis Australia, 2nd ed, 2011.
UNIT WEBPAGE AND TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED This unit is run via iLearn. All administrative updates, assessments etc will be posted on the iLearn page. Announcements are sent directly to students' offical mq.edu.au email addresses - it is the student's responsibility to check iLearn regularly. Online units can be accessed at: http://www.ilearn.mq.edu.au
NB: All written assessments are to be submitted via turinitin located on the iLearn page.
CLASSES
There is a two hour lecture and one hour tutorial each week unless specified in the schedule. Please note that classes begin in Week 1 of the semester.
The tutorials will discuss the topics covered in the lecture from the previous week, e.g. the tutorials in week 2 will cover the topics covered in the lecture from week 1.
All lectures are recorded. Recordings can be uploaded from the iLearn page.
LEARNING AND TEACHING STRATEGY
This unit strongly utilises the iLearn platform. iLearn acts as the first port of call in terms of updates and announcments relevant to the unit.
iLearn offers a number of opportunities to include current events and updates relevant to international environmental law as part of weekly dicussion. This is something that students are encouraged to initiate and engage in as it can help solidify understanding of key concepts through the course. You must check the iLearn page for updates and announcuments.
In order to successfully complete this unit you must ensure that you keep up to date with weekly readings. This unit requires students to complete all readings prior to weekly tutorials. The lecture is desgined to provide an overview that augments the prescribed readings - the lectures are not a substitute for the readings.
Each weekly tutorial discussion will be based upon the listed questions for that week. Students are expected to attend each tutorial having considered their answeres and be prepared for dicussion.
All assessment tasks are to be completed.
Week 1 |
Lecture - Global environmental problems and the IEL response Tutorial - Introduction/Overview of course |
Week 2 |
Lecture - International Actors in IEL and Law-making Tutorial - Global environmental problems and the IEL response |
Week 3 |
Lecture - IEL principles and making IEL work Tutorial - International Actors in IEL and Law-making |
Week 4 |
Lecture - Air and Atmosphere Tutorial - IEL principles and making IEL work |
Week 5 |
Lecture - Biodiversity and wildlife Tutorial - Air and Atmosphere |
Week 6 |
Lecture - Marine Environmental Law: UNCLOS Tutorial - Biodiversity and wildlife |
Week 7 |
Lecture - International Freshwater and Watercourse Law Tutorial - Marine Environmental Law: UNCLOS |
Week 8 |
Lecture - Habitat Protection Tutorial - International Freshwater and Watercourse Law |
Week 9 |
Lecture - International regulation of Waste & Chemicals Tutorial - Habitat Protection |
Week 10 |
Lecture - Human rights and collective Indigenous rights Tutorial - International regulation of Waste & Chemicals |
Week 11 |
Lecture - Trade, Finance & Investment Tutorial - Human rights and collective Indigenous rights |
Week 12 |
Lecture - IEL and environmental justice Tutorial - Trade, Finance & Investment |
Week 13 |
Lecture - Cross cutting issues/Revision Tutorial - TBA |
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
New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/
Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.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 Law School Assessment Policy
Word limits in Macquarie Law School assessments are strictly applied. The word limit does not include footnotes or bibliographies where they are required.
Unless explicitly indicated otherwise, referencing must comply with the current version of the Australian Guide to Legal Citation
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.
Students are expected to attend all tutorials. A student must attend at least 80% attendance rule to meet the learning outcomes of the unit.
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://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
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