Module Catalogue 2024/25

LAW8053 : Law and Global Environmental Challenges (Inactive)

LAW8053 : Law and Global Environmental Challenges (Inactive)

  • Inactive for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Professor Ole Pedersen
  • Owning School: Newcastle Law School
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

• To provide students with thorough understanding and knowledge of a range of different legal responses to global environmental challenges;
• To develop students’ understanding of key concepts underlying protection of the environment on the global level, principles of international law as it affects the environment and principles of international environmental law
• To stimulate students’ awareness of contemporary global environmental challenges;
• To establish a critical understanding of the main regulatory and legal concepts and instruments concerned with environmental responses on the global level ;
• To develop students’ capacity for critical analysis and problem solving;
• To develop students’ research skills through the preparation of coursework and class presentations;
• To encourage student-driven learning;
• To enable students to analyse critically the relationship between international law and policy and environmental protection.

Outline Of Syllabus

Introduction to basic concepts and principles

a. Sources of international environmental law
b. Principles of international environmental law
c. Rights and duties of states
d. The role of environmental treaties
e. The role played by international courts and tribunals

2. Specific global environmental challenges and legal responses

a. air pollution
b. law of the sea
c. climate change and climate change liability
d. biodiversity
e. the relationship between human rights and the environment
f. international trade and the environment
g. procedural environmental law

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Students will be able to show knowledge and understanding of:

• The key elements of the history and principles of international law relating to the environment
• The relationship between global environmental challenges, international law and policy-making and environmental protection
• The key elements of a number of specific global environmental challenges and the legal responses to these
• The limits of international law in relation to global environmental problems

Intended Skill Outcomes

• Legal problem-solving and ability to identify relevant issues, apply relevant concepts, principles and rules, distinguish between facts and values, identifying relevant evidence, and reach supported conclusions on the basis of sounds and informed reasoning;
• Ability to structure argument and analysis;
• How to identifying and ordering issues by relevance and importance;
• Synthesis of materials from diverse sources;
• Evaluation – making a reasoned choice between competing solutions or arguments;
• The ability to communicate effectively in written work and in oral presentations;
• The ability to conduct advanced legal research.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials91:009:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching181:0018:00Synchronous seminars
Structured Guided LearningStructured non-synchronous discussion71:007:00Non-synchronous seminars
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1661:00166:00N/A
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This module emphasises student learning by reading and evaluating primary sources and a wide range of contemporary literature in a fast-changing area of law and policy. This is best fulfilled by seminars for which the students do substantial prior reading in which clarification and development of knowledge and analysis can be achieved.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination14401A6724 hr take home exam. Answer 3 out of 6 questions
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay1M332000 words
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The emphasis in the module is on the cumulative acquisition and understanding of a wide range of knowledge in a complex legal area. The combination of coursework and exam will give students the opportunity to demonstrate a wider range of knowledge, the ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesise the different aspects of international law and environmental protection and to apply their understanding and skills to problem-solving.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.