Master of Environmental Science and Law
Master of Environmental Science and Law
These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.
Course resolutions
1 Course codes
|
Code |
Course title |
|---|---|
|
LC040 |
Master of Environmental Science and Law |
2 Attendance pattern
3 Master's type
4 Cross faculty management
0.
The Deans of Science and Law shall jointly exercise authority in any matter concerning the course not otherwise dealt with in these resolutions.
5 Admission to candidature
(1)
With approval from the Dean, available places will be offered to qualified applicants according to the following admissions criteria.
(2)
Admission to the degree requires a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Laws with credit average from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification.
6 Requirements for award
(1)
The units of study that may be taken for the course are set out in the Environmental Science and Law postgraduate coursework degree table. With the approval of the Dean and the program coordinator, candidates with special aims or interests may be allowed to substitute up to 12 credit points with relevant postgraduate units from outside the table.
(a)
To qualify for the award of the Master of Environmental Science and Law coursework pathway a candidate must complete 48 credit points, including:
(b)
Subject to the availability of supervision and suitable projects, candidates with a credit average in 24 credit points of study from the degree may be admitted to the research pathway.
(c)
To qualify for the award of the Master of Environmental Science and Law research pathway a candidate must complete 48 credit points, including:
(a)
To qualify for the award of the Master of Environmental Science and Law coursework pathway a candidate must complete 48 credit points, including:
(b)
Subject to the availability of supervision and suitable projects, candidates with a credit average in 24 credit points of study from the degree may be admitted to the research pathway.
(c)
To qualify for the award of the Master of Environmental Science and Law research pathway a candidate must complete 48 credit points, including:
7 Transitional provisions
Course overview
The Master of Environmental Science and Law program is a novel concept of undertaking dual courses in the fields of both Science and Law. The program is unique and is not available elsewhere. It provides science graduates with the opportunity of extending their scientific knowledge into the area of the environment, as well as acquiring new skills in the field of environmental law. For law graduates, the opportunity is to extend their knowledge into environmental aspects of law, as well as to gain an understanding of some of the concepts underpinning environmental science.
Course outcomes
Upon completion of the Master of Environmental Science and Law graduates will possess a practical and theoretical background in aspects of Environmental Science and Environmental Law. This knowledge includes research and practical skills in these areas. The program is designed to integrate disciplines which are normally considered separately and which would be difficult to study outside of the Master of Environmental Science and Law program.
Units of study table
The table lists the units of study available within this degree. Other units are possible with the permission of the Director of Environmental Science.
Note: Law units of study are taught in intensive mode. Units offered change from time to time. Contact the Faculty of Law for a complete and up to date list.
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students must complete 24 credit points Science units (capstone and elective) and 24 credit points of Law units (core and elective). | |||
Core Unit |
|||
| LAWS6044 Environmental Law and Policy |
6 | A LAWS6252 or law degree from a common law jurisdiction Environmental Law students must complete LAWS6252 and this core unit prior to enrolling in other law elective units. |
Int August Int March |
Additional Core Unit: Science Background |
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| LAWS6252 is compulsory for students without a background in law. | |||
| LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning & the Common Law System |
6 | N LAWS6881 International students who are required to enrol in this unit must undertake classes during the first week of their study. Health Law and Public Health students should enrol in LAWS6881 Introduction to Law for Health Professionals in lieu of LAWS6252, if available. This unit is not available to MLIntDev students who have been granted a reduced volume of learning. |
Int April Int August Int March Int Sept |
Capstone Unit: Masters Coursework Pathway Only |
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| RESP5001 is compulsory for students in the masters coursework pathway. | |||
| RESP5001 Integrated Environmental Practice |
6 | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|
Project Unit: Masters Research Pathway Only |
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| ENVI5501 is compulsory for students in the masters research pathway. | |||
| ENVI5501 Environmental Research Project |
12 | P 24 credit points of study with a distinction average or better |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
Elective Units |
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| Science background coursework pathway students need to complete 18 credit points of Science elective units and 12 credit points of Law elective units. | |||
| Science background research pathway students need to complete 12 credit points of Science elective units and 12 credit points of Law elective units. | |||
| Law background coursework pathway students need to complete 18 credit points of Science elective units and 18 credit points of Law elective units. | |||
| Law background research pathway students need to complete 12 credit points of Science elective units and 18 credit points of Law elective units. | |||
Science Elective Units |
|||
| ENVI5705 and ENVI5708 are recommended. | |||
| AFNR5801 Climate Change: Process, History, Issues |
6 | A A basic understanding of climate change processes and issues. |
Semester 2 |
| ENVI5705 Ecological Principles |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| ENVI5707 Energy - Sources, Uses and Alternatives |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| ENVI5708 Introduction to Environmental Chemistry |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| ENVI5801 Social Science of Environment |
6 | Semester 1a |
|
| ENVI5809 Environmental Simulation Modelling |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| GEOG5001 Geographic Information Science A |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| GEOS5501 Human Rights and the Environment |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| MARS5007 Coral Reefs and Climate Change |
6 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1a |
| WILD5001 Australasian Wildlife: Introduction |
6 | Int March |
|
| WILD5002 Australasian Wildlife: Field Studies |
6 | Int March |
|
Law Elective Units |
|||
| LAWS6011 Administrative Law |
6 |
Core unit for MALP students. |
Int April |
| LAWS6043 Environmental Impact Assessment Law |
6 | Int Sept |
|
| LAWS6047 Law of the Sea |
6 | Int Sept |
|
| LAWS6061 International Environmental Law |
6 |
Students seeking further study in international environmental law may undertake LAWS6922 Advanced International Environmental Law. |
Int April |
| LAWS6068 Judicial Review-P'ciple, Pol & Procedure |
6 | Int August |
|
| LAWS6130 Dispute Resolution in Australia |
6 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment This is not a skills unit and students will not be trained as negotiators or mediators. This unit has a restricted class size. |
Int July |
| LAWS6163 Energy and Climate Law |
6 | N LAWS6863 The unit replaced LAWS6163 International & Australian Climate Law (formerly Energy Law). |
Int Sept |
| LAWS6167 International Law II |
6 |
Compulsory core unit for MIL and GradDipIntLaw students. This unit replaced LAWS6167 International Law and Australian Institutions. |
Int Sept Semester 1 |
| LAWS6191 Water Law and Climate Change |
6 |
This unit replaced LAWS6191 Water Law |
Int October |
| LAWS6257 Public Policy |
6 | N LAWS6139, LAWS6042, LAWS6113 Core unit for MALP students. |
Int Sept |
| LAWS6936 Carbon Trading, Derivatives and Taxation |
6 | Int Sept |
|
Unit of study descriptions 2013
AFNR5801 Climate Change: Process, History, Issues
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Peter Franks, Dr Dan Penny Session: Semester 2 Classes: 18 hrs lecture/tutorial, 12 hrs practical/field classes, 9 hrs field trip preparation Assumed knowledge: A basic understanding of climate change processes and issues. Assessment: 2hr exam (40%), tutorials (20%), practical report from field exercise (manuscript format) (40%),
This unit provides students with an overview of current debates and approaches to understanding and quantifying interactions between the biosphere, oceans and atmosphere, as used around the world, and the consequences of those interactions for climate. The unit considers climate change on a variety of timescales.
This unit will include a weekend field trip to Snowy Mountains field sites managed by the University of Sydney where students will be introduced to cutting edge, ongoing climate change research.
This unit will include a weekend field trip to Snowy Mountains field sites managed by the University of Sydney where students will be introduced to cutting edge, ongoing climate change research.
Textbooks
A reading list will be provided consisting of selected book chapters, journal articles and other publications
ENVI5501 Environmental Research Project
Credit points: 12 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Jeff Neilson Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Meetings arranged with supervisor. Prerequisites: 24 credit points of study with a distinction average or better Assessment: Written report and continuous assessment (100%)
A valuable opportunity to apply some of the knowledge gained from earlier coursework, ENVI5501 consists of a research project as arranged between you (the student) and an appropriate supervisor. The project topic may contain a field or laboratory component, or may be entirely literature-based, but it must include an integrated analysis of an identified environmental problem. Potential topics range from ecotourism to pollution detection and monitoring, erosion to solar power, environmental law to conservation biology. The topic must be able to be completed within the timeframe of 16 weeks (one semester) of investigation, including the literature survey, sample and data collection, analysis of data and results, and write up of the report. This unit is not conducted by way of a number of contact hours per week for a semester. Instead, the student will work on the project full-time (aside from other study commitments) in a continuous manner for the entire duration (1 semester). This unit of study is only available to students in the Master programs who have completed 24 credit points of study with a distinction average or better. Any student interested in taking ENVI5501 should identify and consult with an appropriate supervisor along with Environmental Science Program Coordinator Dr Jeff Neilson (jeffrey.neilson@sydney.edu.au) well before the semester commences.
ENVI5705 Ecological Principles
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Charlotte Taylor Session: Semester 1 Classes: One 3 hour lecture per week. Assessment: Case study,assignment,critical review,presentation (100%)
This unit of study introduces fundamental concepts of modern ecology for environmental scientists through a series of modules focussing on applied questions. Using case studies from Australia, students are exposed to the challenges of doing ecology and how cutting edge research is being applied to environmental management using evidence-based approaches. Meetings and discussions with people working in the field give students an insight into the ways that ecologists address ecological problems and how way they generate an understanding of natural systems. Students have the opportunity to consider different ways of doing science and ways of dealing with different kinds of data, including qualitative, quantitative, anecdotal and experimental approaches
ENVI5707 Energy - Sources, Uses and Alternatives
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Chris Dey Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2-hour lecture, 1-hour seminar per week and field trips. Assessment: Major essay, assignments, tutorial paper and presentation
The environmental impacts and physical principles of energy generation and use are addressed in this unit of study. Major topics include discussion of the various energy sources, global energy resources, the economics associated with energy conversion, the politics and culture that surround energy conversion and use, and renewable energy technologies. A key aspect of the unit is the fostering of skills for performing simple but useful energy and greenhouse calculations. This unit of study includes several field trips to energy utilities and associated energy sites.
ENVI5708 Introduction to Environmental Chemistry
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Gavin Birch Session: Semester 1 Classes: One 2-hour lecture, one practical per week and one field trip Assessment: Assignment, presentation and report (100%)
The aim of the course is to introduce students to the major physical and chemical processes that control the concentration and dispersion of chemical pollutants in natural and impacted coastal environments. The course will demonstrate how to use contaminant data effectively and how to judge the quality of chemical data. This knowledge will be used to design and to assess environmental projects, and to judge the magnitude of impact by human activity on marine environments and the risk posed by sedimentary contaminants to benthic animals. The course aims to provide present and future managers employed in environmental professions with the skills to use data with confidence and to make management decisions knowing the risks inherent in variable data quality.
ENVI5801 Social Science of Environment
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Josephine Gillespie Session: Semester 1a Classes: 2hrs lectures and 2 hrs tutorials per week plus directed reading. The unit runs for weeks 1-7 Assessment: essay and seminar presentation (100%)
This unit provides both a conceptual and an empirical foundation for the analysis of relationships between society, the environment and natural resources. In our recent past the rapid rate of global environmental change has necessitated a breakdown of traditional disciplinary boundaries in research and social scientists are increasingly called upon to work alongside natural scientists in unraveling the complexities of the human-environmental nexus. Students will examine a number of environmental issues and consider a variety of social science academic perspectives about environmental management.
ENVI5809 Environmental Simulation Modelling
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr David M Chapman Session: Semester 1 Classes: Six sessions Assessment: Report (100%)
This unit of study introduces participants to the power of simulation modelling in understanding and predicting behaviour of natural systems. It covers fundamental concepts, logic, and techniques (including sensitivity analysis), and develops skills in application to environmental problems such as catchment management and population dynamics.
GEOG5001 Geographic Information Science A
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr David Chapman Session: Semester 1 Classes: Six lectures plus six workshops. Assessment: Report (100%)
This unit of study gives an overview of basic spatial data models, and enables students to understand the use of data from a variety of sources within a geographical information system (GIS). The analysis of spatial data, and its manipulation to address questions appropriate to planning or locational applications, will be addressed, as will the development of thematic maps from diverse data layers.
GEOS5501 Human Rights and the Environment
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Josephine Gillespie Session: Semester 2 Classes: Two hours of class contact per week plus self-directed study Assessment: Major essay (60%) plus Presentation (10%) and Minor essay (40%)
The global community is faced with the collision between environmental degradation and human rights, from oil spill disasters to the disproportionate impact of anthropogenic climate change in the developing world. At the same time we are witnessing an ever-increasing demand to meet human rights obligations. Both these phenomena necessitate a re-think of the way environmental conditions are perceived. This unit of study addresses the diverse and complex interaction between human rights and the environment, and examines whether human rights can be secured in degraded or polluted environments. The course deals with the human rights - environment nexus through a series of lectures and seminars.
MARS5007 Coral Reefs and Climate Change
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Jody Webster Session: Semester 1a Classes: 80 hours block mode includes lectures, tutorials and fieldwork Assessment: Written assignments: essay and project report; oral presentations; seminar and lecture participation (100%)
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit provides an in - depth understanding of the key geological, oceanographic,. biological and economic factors effecting global climate change and coral reef response, with specific reference to the Great Barrier Reef. Predictions of worst and best case scenarios for the future of coral reef systems are discussed in the context of the latest science, and in light of how this science should underpin future management strategies and policy. Learning activities will include a series of background lectures and research seminars, and tutorials on the development of a major research project. A major aspect of this unit is an independent research project conducted under the supervision of the course instructors. The unit concludes with a series of oral presentations based on student research. Assessment tasks will consist of an essay, a research seminar and a research project report and presentation. This is a field intensive course held at One Tree Island Research Station. The course is ex-Gladstone Queensland and students are expected to make their own way there. The unit will be run over 7 days and there will be an additional course fee for food and accommodation.
RESP5001 Integrated Environmental Practice
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof D Dragovich Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Four 4-hour lectures and two 4-hour laboratory classes per semester Assessment: One research proposal, One literature review and one oral presentation (100%)
This unit will provide an opportunity for students to synthesize and draw conclusions from their coursework experience and learning, and to enable them to revise and/or develop the necessary skills for engaging with environmental research as part of their intellectual and/or professional growth. The unit focuses on skills in cross-disciplinary problem identification and the use of integrated analysis to address environmental challenges. Other skills include critical reading and critical writing, undertaking a literature review, understanding how research is conducted and published, library search techniques, use of referencing systems like EndNote, and matters relating to intellectual property and authorship.
WILD5001 Australasian Wildlife: Introduction
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Mathew Crowther Session: Int March Classes: Intensively taught unit, the remainder of the unit will involve personal study and project activity. See the Wildlife Health and Population Management website for dates. Assessment: Assessments for each unit may include practical work, field studies, student presentations and written reports (100%)
This unit of study provides an introduction to the wildlife of Australasia, an overview of the present status of that wildlife, and an understanding of both conservation problems and management solutions. Issues in wildlife management are exemplified using a broad range of vertebrate species occupying different environments. Emphasis is placed on providing students with a coordinated and interdisciplinary approach to wildlife health and management, and on developing expertise in recognising and solving a broad range of problems in field populations. The unit integrates lectures, practical work and supervised study, and offers students the opportunity to work through real-world wildlife conservation problems relevant to their individual backgrounds.
WILD5002 Australasian Wildlife: Field Studies
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Mathew Crowther Session: Int March Classes: Intensively taught unit. See the Wildlife Health and Population Management website for dates. Assessment: Assessments for each unit may include practical work, field studies, student presentations and written reports (100%)
This unit of study provides a first-hand introduction to the wildlife of Australasia, a practical overview of the present status of that wildlife, and an understanding of both conservation problems and management solutions. Issues in wildlife management are exemplified using sampling and diagnostic methods on a broad range of vertebrate species occupying different environments. The unit follows on from WILD5001 and provides practical experience via a five day field trip at the university farm "Arthursleigh" near Marulan NSW.
LAWS6011 Administrative Law
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Margaret Allars Session: Int April Classes: Apr 5, 6 & 26, 27 (9-5) Assessment: 7500wd essay or 2x3750wd essays (100%)
Note: Core unit for MALP students.
The aim of the unit is to develop a critical perspective upon the accountability of government decision-makers. The unit examines theoretical frameworks for analysis of a range of issues concerning accountability, with reference to relevant principles of administrative law. Part 1 of the unit examines the concept of administrative discretion, alternative theories of the rule of law, human rights, ethics and managerialism. Part 2 of the unit is concerned with the accountability of the executive branch of government. It includes analysis of separation of powers and the doctrine of ministerial responsibility, merits review tribunals, investigative tribunals and tribunal procedure. Part 3 of the unit examines theories of participatory democracy, with reference to relevant legal principles drawn from procedural fairness, rules of standing and consultation requirements in rule making. Part 4 examines theories of open government, with reference to statutory duties to give reasons for decisions and freedom of information legislation. Part 5 examines the proper scope of administrative law by discussion of the issue of its extension to government business enterprises which are corporatised, privatised or contracted out.
LAWS6043 Environmental Impact Assessment Law
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Ms Nicola Franklin Session: Int Sept Classes: Aug 27, 28 & Sep 3, 4 (9-5) Assessment: 4000wd essay (50%) and take-home exam (50%)
This unit has three fundamental aims. The first is to provide a sound analysis of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedures in NSW and at the Commonwealth level. The second aim is to develop a critical understanding of EIA as a distinctive regulatory device by examining its historical, ethical and political dimensions as well as relevant aspects of legal theory. The third and ultimate aim is to combine these doctrinal and theoretical forms of knowledge so we can suggest possible improvements to the current practice of EIA in Australia.
LAWS6044 Environmental Law and Policy
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Ms Susan Shearing Session: Int August,Int March Classes: S103: Mar 15, 16 & 22, 23 (9-5) and S108: Aug 9, 10 & 16, 17 (9-5) Assumed knowledge: LAWS6252 or law degree from a common law jurisdiction Assessment: 5000wd essay (60%) and take-home exam (40%)
Note: Environmental Law students must complete LAWS6252 and this core unit prior to enrolling in other law elective units.
The aim of the unit is to introduce students to overarching themes in environmental law and policy as a foundation to their more detailed studies for the Environmental Law Program. This is an overview unit addressing a number of environmental issues at various levels of analysis; such as policy making, implementation of policy and dispute resolution. The concept of ecologically sustainable development and its implications for environmental law and policy is a continuing theme. The unit is designed to develop multi-dimensional thinking about environmental issues and the strategies needed to address them. The unit provides a broad background of the political and economic issues in so far as they are related to the legal issues involved.
LAWS6047 Law of the Sea
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Assoc Prof Tim Stephens Session: Int Sept Classes: Sep 19, 20 & 26, 27 (9-5) Assessment: 5000wd essay (60%) and take-home exam (40%)
The oceans cover two-thirds of the world's surface, and are vital to international commerce, are a store of important living and non-living resources, and provide indispensable environmental services including stabilising the global climate system. This unit reviews the major areas of the law of the sea as it has developed over the centuries. The unit takes as its focus the 'constitution' of the oceans, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and also considers a range of other international conventions and agreements, and current state practice. Each of the major maritime zones is assessed, and there is also a detailed review of several sectoral issues, including the protection of the marine environment, fisheries, navigational rights and freedoms, and military uses of the oceans. Where appropriate, reference will be made throughout the unit to relevant Australian law and practice, and to other state practice in the Asia Pacific Region.
LAWS6061 International Environmental Law
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Rosemary Lyster Session: Int April Classes: Apr 12, 13 & 19, 20 (9-5) Assessment: 2500wd problem-based assignment (30%) and 5500wd essay (70%)
Note: Students seeking further study in international environmental law may undertake LAWS6922 Advanced International Environmental Law.
This unit aims to provide students with an overview of the development of international environmental law throughout the twentieth century. Attention will primarily be devoted to the international law and policy responses to global and regional environmental and resource management issues. Basic principles will be discussed prior to taking a sectoral approach in looking at the application of international environmental law in specific issue areas. The unit includes material on implementation of international environmental law in the Asia Pacific region. Relevant Australian laws and initiatives will be referred to from time to time. The focus is on law and policy that has been applied to deal with environmental problems in an international and transboundary context.
LAWS6068 Judicial Review-P'ciple, Pol & Procedure
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Margaret Allars Session: Int August Classes: Aug 9, 10 & Sep 6, 7 (9-5) Assessment: 7500wd essay or 2x3750wd essays (100%)
This unit provides a specialised and thematic account of judicial review as one means for making the executive branch of government accountable. It aims to develop an understanding of trends reflected in principles relating to justiciability, standing to seek review, excess of power and abuse of power, and procedural fairness. A critical evaluation of the policy choices which account for development of common law principles is encouraged. The procedures and remedial powers available under statutes which reform the procedure for gaining judicial review are examined, with judicial and administrative procedure compared. A consistent theme is the development of a critical appreciation of the proper relationship between the judicial and executive branches of government.
LAWS6130 Dispute Resolution in Australia
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Tania Sourdin Session: Int July Classes: Jul 12, 13 & 19, 20 (9-5) Assessment: 3000wd essay (50%) and take-home exam (50%)
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: This is not a skills unit and students will not be trained as negotiators or mediators. This unit has a restricted class size.
The unit is designed to give students a broad understanding of the theory, policy and practice of ADR. It will enable students to understand various alternative dispute resolution processes, their advantages and limitations; understand the application of ADR in particular areas of practice: understand key theoretical debates about mediation; be able to advise others about ADR processes; be better participants in ADR processes; be better able to evaluate the possible applications of various dispute resolution methods. The use of ADR in employment and health care disputes will be considered.
LAWS6163 Energy and Climate Law
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Rosemary Lyster Session: Int Sept Classes: Sep 6, 7 & 13, 14 (9-5) Prohibitions: LAWS6863 Assessment: class participation (20%) and 7000wd essay (80%)
Note: The unit replaced LAWS6163 International & Australian Climate Law (formerly Energy Law).
This unit adopts an inter-disciplinary and integrative approach to understanding the dynamics of one of the most pressing global environmental concerns ecologically sustainable energy use. Working loosely within the framework of the Climate Change Convention, the unit relies on the perspectives of scientists, lawyers and economists to develop an integrated approach to sustainable energy use. The unit identifies current patterns of energy use in Australia and examines Australia's response to the Climate Change Convention. It also analyses the strengths and weaknesses of various political, legal and economic mechanisms for influencing the choice of energy use. The initiatives of the Commonwealth and New South Wales governments, as well as local councils, to promote sustainable energy use and to combat global warming are scrutinised.
LAWS6167 International Law II
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: S1: Dr Alison Pert (S1), S109: Assoc Prof Tim Stephens Session: Int Sept,Semester 1 Classes: S1: 1x2-hr lecture/week and S109: Sep 5, 6 & 12, 13 (9-5) Assessment: 3000wd take-home exam (40%) and 4000wd essay (60%)
Note: Compulsory core unit for MIL and GradDipIntLaw students. This unit replaced LAWS6167 International Law and Australian Institutions.
This unit of study consolidates and builds upon knowledge gained in International Law I. Whereas International Law I considers the general problems of public international law, and its foundational principles, International Law II examines how international law is created, implemented and enforced by national legal systems and through international organisations. Initial attention is given to understanding different ways in which law's transboundary impacts can be understood by considering international, transnational, global and comparative perspectives on law-making. The relationship between international law and domestic law is explored in depth, both in a comparative perspective and with particular reference to the impact of international law on Australian law and legal institutions. The unit also considers the ways in which international organisations are established and function to develop and implement international norms, and assesses contemporary concerns relating to the development of global administrative law and anxieties surrounding the potential fragmentation of international law.
LAWS6191 Water Law and Climate Change
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Rosemary Lyster Session: Int October Classes: Oct 11, 12 & 18, 19 (9-5) Assessment: class participation (20%) and 7000wd essay (80%)
Note: This unit replaced LAWS6191 Water Law
This unit of study situates the management of Australia's water resources within an International Law context including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, International Water Law principles and an internationally recognised human right to water. The unit examines the ecologically sustainable management of water resources in the context of climate change, with Australia being the driest inhabited continent. According to the Garnaut Climate Change Review, climate change could halve the productive capacity of the Murray Darling Basin, which produces one third of Australia's food supply, by 2050. In May 2012, the Murray Darling Basin Authority released the controversial Draft Basin Plan which proposes to allocate more water for the environment. At the same time, the Council of Australian Governments is pursuing a decade long process of water reform to establish a national water trading market by 2014. Consequently, the unit examines water resource management from the interdisciplinary perspectives of law, science and within the context of broader economic reform and the National Competition Policy framework. The corporatisation of water utilities and competition in the water service market is also discussed. Key legislation covered are the Water Act 2007 (Cth) and the Water Management Act 2000 (NSW).
LAWS6257 Public Policy
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Patricia Apps Session: Int Sept Classes: Sep 23, 24 & Oct 10, 11 (10-5) Prohibitions: LAWS6139, LAWS6042, LAWS6113 Assessment: problem-based assignment and class presentation of a case study (10%) and 5000wd essay (90%)
Note: Core unit for MALP students.
The aim of the unit is to provide an understanding of the role of government policy within the analytical framework of welfare economics. Questions of central interest include: What are the conditions that justify government intervention? How can policies be designed to support basic principles of social justice? What kinds of reforms promote economic efficiency? Applications will range from taxation and social security to environmental regulation and protection, and will cover the following specific topics: The structure of the Australian tax-benefit system; Uncertainty and social insurance; Unemployment, health and retirement income insurance; Externalities, environmental taxes and tradeable permits; Monopoly and environmental regulation; Utility pricing and access problems; Cost benefit analysis, intergenerational equity and growth. The unit will provide an overview of the main empirical methodologies used in evaluating policy reforms in these areas. Students may select to specialise in one or more of the policy areas.
LAWS6936 Carbon Trading, Derivatives and Taxation
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Ms Celeste Black (Coordinator), Prof Rosemary Lyster, Assoc Prof Tim Stephens, Mr Scott Farrell, Ms Ilona Millar Session: Int Sept Classes: Sep 5, 6 & 13, 14 (9-5) Assessment: take-home exam (100%)
This unit of study is designed to appeal to students across a broad range of postgraduate programs and expands on existing offerings in the area of Climate Law. The unit will cover four discrete topics on each day of the four day intensive: International Climate Law (UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Kyoto Protocol, post-2012 negotiations) and domestic Climate Law (measures effecting a price on carbon and other relevant environmental markets); understanding how to trade carbon and other certificates on a variety of environmental markets; understanding the relevant carbon and other derivative markets; and understanding the taxation implications of participating in carbon and other environmental markets. The unit assumes a basic knowledge of environmental law. The unit brings together experts within the Sydney Law School, including environmental and taxation lawyers, and experts in carbon trading and derivative markets in private practice.