Students
BUSL100 – Global Legal Frameworks for a Sustainable Planet
2017 – S1 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor, Lecturer
Trish Blazey
Contact via 98507683
E4A240
Tuesday's 9am - 10am
Tutor
Tony Antoniou
Contact via tba
tba
Moderator
Kaywah Chan
Contact via email
E4A241
N/A
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| Credit points |
Credit points
3
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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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 focuses on the need for sustainable economic development worldwide. It assesses the impact of international environmental legal frameworks that relate to climate change, deforestation, water, fishing, waste and biodiversity and undertakes an overview of current scientific findings in the popular press. The unit evaluates the effectiveness of Australian legal frameworks designed to facilitate sustainable economic development. Corporate social responsibility for the protection of the planet is evaluated both internationally and nationally. The unit is designed to provide a basic understanding of environmental legal issues across a broad range of disciplines.
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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:
- Explain the concept of a sustainable planet and its capacity to sustain the current level of economic development
- Assess current mitigation and adaptation strategies that relate to sustainability
- Evaluate international and national legal frameworks that address climate change, fresh water, fishing, deforestation, waste and land use
- Demonstrate an ability to understand scientific articles in the popular press that relate to a sustainable planet
General Assessment Information
Tutorials
The assessments task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
Explain the concept of a sustainable planet and its capacity to sustain the current level of economic development
Assess current mitigation and adaptation strategies that relate to sustainability
Evaluate international and national legal frameworks that address climate change, fresh water, fishing, deforestation, waste and land use
Demonstrate an ability to understand scientific articles in the popular press that relate to a sustainable planet
Case Study
This assessment task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
Assess current mitigation strategies and adaptation strategies that relate to sustainability
Evaluate international and national legal frameworks that address climate change and land use
Final Assignment
Explain the concept of a sustainable planet and its capacity to sustain the current level of economic development
Assess current mitigation strategies and adaptation strategies that relate to sustainability
Evaluate international and national legal frameworks that address climate change, fresh water, fishing, deforestation, waste and land use
Demonstrate an ability to understand scientific articles in the popular press that relate to a sustainable planet
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| tutorial participation | 20% | No | each week |
| Case study | 20% | No | 2-3 May and in tutorials |
| Research Final Assignment | 60% | No | 16 June 2017 by 4pm |
tutorial participation
Due: each week
Weighting: 20%
Weekly attendance at tutorials is compulsory. A roll will be taken each week. A student who is absent for a tutorial will be considered as not having participated for that tutorial.
Students will be assessed on a weekly basis.
Criteria upon which class participation is assessed and the relevant grade criteria which includes high distinction, distinction, credit, pass and fail is posted on iLearn. Refer to https://iLearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ/
Students are required to prepare in advance of classes and demonstrate an understanding of the materials prescribed. The depth of argument's and presentation skills form part of the assessment criteria.
Estimated Student workload (outside class time)
On average 1.5 - 2.5 hours per week
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain the concept of a sustainable planet and its capacity to sustain the current level of economic development
- Assess current mitigation and adaptation strategies that relate to sustainability
- Evaluate international and national legal frameworks that address climate change, fresh water, fishing, deforestation, waste and land use
- Demonstrate an ability to understand scientific articles in the popular press that relate to a sustainable planet
Case study
Due: 2-3 May and in tutorials
Weighting: 20%
Students are required to undertake a case study of a renewable energy case that was heard in the NSW Land and Environment Court. A guide to writing the case study and the actual case is posted on iLearn. This will require students to simplify a complex fact situation and evaluate the effectiveness of public interest litigation and how it is conducted in a court.
A referencing exercise is included so that students learn the importance not only of referencing their work so as to avoid Tunitin picking up a perceived plagiarism incident, but also the correct format for a reference. This is intended to assist students in writing their final research essay. This is worth 5 marks out of the total of 20 marks.
Students are to hand the case study and referencing exercise to their respective tutors by the due date
Estimated Student workload (outside class time)
10 hours in total
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Assess current mitigation and adaptation strategies that relate to sustainability
- Evaluate international and national legal frameworks that address climate change, fresh water, fishing, deforestation, waste and land use
Research Final Assignment
Due: 16 June 2017 by 4pm
Weighting: 60%
The final assignment is a research essay of no more than 3000 words (excluding footnotes and bibliography) requiring students to undertake significant research and analyse their findings. It will focus on a current relevant topic. It will be posed on iLearn four weeks before the due date in order to give students ample time to undertake the research. References and a bibliography are required. The Australian Guide to Legal Citation 3rd edition posted on iLearn is preferred. Collaborative work is not acceptable.
No extensions will be granted . There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example 25 hours late submission attract 20% penalty) The penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for disruption to studies is made and approved.
Students must submit the Assignment before 4:00 p.m. on 16 June 2017 to: Turnitin on the iLearn site of this unit.
Estimated Student Workload (outside class time)
On average, 4.5 hours per week.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain the concept of a sustainable planet and its capacity to sustain the current level of economic development
- Assess current mitigation and adaptation strategies that relate to sustainability
- Evaluate international and national legal frameworks that address climate change, fresh water, fishing, deforestation, waste and land use
- Demonstrate an ability to understand scientific articles in the popular press that relate to a sustainable planet
Delivery and Resources
Classes
3 hours face to face teaching including 1 x 2 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial
The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/
Weekly attendance at all tutorials is compulsory and a roll will be taken each week. A student who is absent from a tutorial will not be assessed for that tutorial. Details on each tutorial class can be found on iLearn (https://iLearn.mq.edu.au). The detailed criteria for assessment is posted on iLearn.
Tutorials begin in the second week of the session.
Grades
Macquarie University uses the following grades in coursework units of study:
- HD - High Distinction
- D - Distinction
- CR - Credit
- P - Pass
- F - Fail
All final grades in the Department of Accounting and Corporate Governance are determined by a grading committee and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Co-ordinator. Students will be awarded one of these grades. The final grade that is awarded reflect the corresponding grade descriptor in the Grading Policy.
Grading Appeals
If. at the conclusion of the unit you have performed below expectations and are considering lodging an appeal of grade and/or viewing your essay, please refer to the following website which provides information about these processes and the cut off dates in the first instance. Please read the instructions provided concerning what constitutes a valid ground for appeal before appealing your grade.
http://www.businessand economics.mq.edu.au/new_and _current _students/undergraduate_current_students/undergraduate_current_students/how_do_i/grade_appeals/
There is no hurdle assessment task in this unit. Students will pass if they get an overall mark of 50%.
IT
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.
Access to all student computing facilities within the Faculty of Business and Economics is
restricted to authorised coursework for approved units. Student ID cards must be displayed in the
locations provided at all times.
Students are expected to act responsibly when using University IT facilities. the following regulations apply to the use of computing facilities and online services:
Accessing in appropriate web sites or downloading inappropriate material is not permitted. Material that is not related to coursework for approved units is deemed inappropriate
Downloading copyright material without permission from the copyright owner is illegal and strictly prohibited. Students detected undertaking such activities will face disciplinary action which may result in criminal proceedings.
Non compliance with these conditions may result in disciplinary action without further notice.
Students must use their Macquarie University email addresses to communicate with staff as it is University policy that the University issued email account is used for official University communication.
Consultation is not available via email or telephone.
Compulsory Text
Phillipe Sands and Jacqueline Peel Principles of International Environmental Law 3rd Ed. Cambridge Press 2012 This can be purchased from the Macquarie University Co-op Bookshop.
Other Recommended Readings
Other readings will be posted on iLearn.
See the weekly list of topics and prescribed readings for lecture and tutorials in this Unit Guide.
Blazey, P . Xiangbai He ‘China’s Past, Present And Future Approach To Climate Change Issues’ 2 International Law E-Books Online, Collection 2015 Brill's Asian Law Series
East Asia’s Renewed Respect for the Rule of Law in the 21st Century, pp 213-242
Blazey, P. (2014) ‘The Trials and Tribulations of Gaining World Heritage Listing for Australia’s only Tropical Rainforest’4 4 Journal of International Law and Policy 393-402
Blazey, P. (2012). Approaches to increasing desertification in Northern China. The Chinese Economy: translation and studies, 45 (3), 88 - 101
Blazey, P. (2012). Challenges faced in sustainably managing the tropical rainforest in Papua New Guinea. OIDA international Journal of Sustainable Development, 4 (4), 35 – 59
Blazey, P. (2012). Will China’s 12th Five Year Plan allow for sufficient nuclear power to support its booming economy in the next twenty years? Pacific Rim Law and Policy Journal, 21 (3), 461 - 484.
Blazey, P. (2012). Theoretical issues that underlie the drafting of a binding treaty to prevent further deforestation and degradation of the world's tropical rainforests. International Journal of Public Law and Policy, 2 (2), 176-190.
Cadman, T., Maraseni, T., & Blazey, P. (2012). Perspectives on the quality of global environmental governance: an evaluation of NGO participation in global climate negotiations in the Asia-Pacific and beyond. Third Sector Review, 18 (1), 145 - 169.
Blazey, P. (2011). Sustainable management of world forests - to what extent can regulation drive it? International journal of public law and policy, 1 (2), 202-219
Gillies, P. & Blazey, P. (2010). Feed-in tariffs in Australia: fiscal incentives and regulatory regimes - current developments and policies for the future. International Journal of Private Law, 3 (3), 317-331
Blazey, P. & Gillies, P. (2009). China - Growth and its Challenges. Macquarie Journal of Business Law, 6 253-264
Blazey, P. & Connors, B. (2008). Emissions Trading- Traps For New Players. Macquarie Journal of Business Law, 5 (-), 291-308.
Kapterian, G., Gillies, P., & Blazey, P. (2008). Reducing Emissions from Coal in Australia: Fiscal and Related Instruments - the Current State of Play. Murdoch University Electronic Journal of Law, 15 (1), 56-71
Blazey, P. & Govind, P. (2007). Climate Change - Financial adaptation challenges for the insurance industry. Macquarie Journal of Business Law, 4 (-), 15-48
Blazey, P. (2007). China's Rapid Economic Growth and Resultant Negative Externalities. University of New South Wales Law Journal, 30 (3), 867-878.
Ashiabor, H. & Blazey, P. (2007). Phasing Out Detrimental Ecological Subsidies in the Fossil Fuel Sector: Challenges and Prospects for the Asia Pacific Region. Asia Pacific Journal of Environmental Law, 10 (3-Apr), 211-252.
Technology Used and Required
Technology Used: learning management system (ILearn: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ/)
Students have to frequently access this Unit's Ilearn site for the Lecture Notes, tutorial instructions announcements and detailed information regarding the unit.Tutorials will commence in the second week of the session.
Unit Schedule
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LECTURE NO. |
LECTURE DATE |
TOPIC |
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1 |
28 FEBRUARY |
What is sustainable development, How it is measured? What is meant by scientific literacy |
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2 |
7 MARCH |
Governance of the planet by states and non-state actors Public interest litigation
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3 |
14 MARCH |
International Environmental Law Liability for damage |
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4 |
21 MARCH |
Climate change – what is it? |
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5 |
28 MARCH |
Climate change – the effect of the Paris Agreement |
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6 |
4 APRIL |
Energy production and renewable energy |
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7 |
11 APRIL |
Case study instruction Biodiversity and CITES |
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Easter Good Friday 14 April Your case study is due on 2 or 3 May to be handed into your tutor |
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8 |
2 MAY |
Deforestation |
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9 |
9 MAY |
Freshwater resources |
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10 |
14 MAY |
Oceans and Fishing film End of the Line |
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11 |
21 MAY |
Oceans and Fishing |
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12 |
6 JUNE |
Waste there will be no tutorial |
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16 JUNE |
FINAL ASSIGNMENT DUE – worth 60% 3000 words excluding references and bibliography due 16 June. |
Learning and Teaching Activities
Tutorials
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_2016.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 (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration
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://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.
Graduate Capabilities
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
- Explain the concept of a sustainable planet and its capacity to sustain the current level of economic development
- Assess current mitigation and adaptation strategies that relate to sustainability
- Evaluate international and national legal frameworks that address climate change, fresh water, fishing, deforestation, waste and land use
- Demonstrate an ability to understand scientific articles in the popular press that relate to a sustainable planet
Assessment tasks
- tutorial participation
- Case study
- Research Final Assignment
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
- Explain the concept of a sustainable planet and its capacity to sustain the current level of economic development
- Assess current mitigation and adaptation strategies that relate to sustainability
- Evaluate international and national legal frameworks that address climate change, fresh water, fishing, deforestation, waste and land use
- Demonstrate an ability to understand scientific articles in the popular press that relate to a sustainable planet
Assessment tasks
- tutorial participation
- Case study
- Research Final Assignment
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
- Assess current mitigation and adaptation strategies that relate to sustainability
- Demonstrate an ability to understand scientific articles in the popular press that relate to a sustainable planet
Assessment tasks
- tutorial participation
- Research Final Assignment
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
- Explain the concept of a sustainable planet and its capacity to sustain the current level of economic development
- Evaluate international and national legal frameworks that address climate change, fresh water, fishing, deforestation, waste and land use
- Demonstrate an ability to understand scientific articles in the popular press that relate to a sustainable planet
Assessment tasks
- tutorial participation
- Research Final Assignment
Changes from Previous Offering
No in class test. Rather a case study takes its place. The referencing exercise is now part of the case study.
Global and Sustainability
The unit focuses on the need for sustainable economic development worldwide. It assesses the impact of international environmental legal frameworks that relate to climate change, deforestation, water, fishing, waste and biodiversity and undertakes an overview of current scientific findings in the popular press. The unit evaluates the effectiveness of Australian legal frameworks designed to facilitate sustainable economic development. Corporate social responsibility for the protection of the planet is evaluated both internationally and nationally. The unit is designed to provide a basic understanding of environmental legal issues across a broad range of disciplines.