Sustainability Law and Governance

Subject LAWS70330 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 7 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

November, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: The total class time is between 24 and 26 hours.
Total Time Commitment: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Prerequisites: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Corequisites: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Recommended Background Knowledge: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Non Allowed Subjects: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Core Participation Requirements: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.

Contact

For the most up-to-date information about this subject, contact the Melbourne Law Masters Office by email at law-masters@unimelb.edu.au or phone 8344 6190 or alternatively visit the subject website: www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

This subject will provide an examination of international environmental law and domestic environmental law in the jurisdictions of the European Union, Australia and New Zealand. The following themes will be explored:

  • Key features of the global economic and ecological crisis
  • Current environmental governance: International, supranational (EU) and national (Australia, New Zealand), using the example of climate change
  • History, ethics and meaning of sustainability
  • Institutional and legal reforms, convergence of international and national law
  • Principle of sustainability: Application with respect to justice, human rights, state sovereignty and institutions
  • Role of citizenship and civil society.
Objectives:

A student who has successfully completed this subject should:

  • Have a sound understanding of the legal relationships that regulate human activities with respect to the natural environment
  • Understand how the guiding principles of environmental law and governance operate in international law and selected jurisdictions including Australia, New Zealand and the European Union
  • Appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of prevailing models of environmental law and governance
  • Develop an enhanced awareness of sustainability as an ethical, political and legal principle
  • Be familiar with current developments in international law (e.g. soft law, Earth Charter) and domestic law (e.g. the Australian Sustainability Charter and the New Zealand Resource Management Act 1991) that are informed by the principle of sustainability.
Assessment:

10,000 word research paper (100%) (28 February 2011) on a topic approved by the subject coordinator
Prescribed Texts: Visit the subject website for more information
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Links to further information: http://www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au/

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