Module Information

Module Identifier
LAM1110
Module Title
INTERNATIONAL LAW OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT
Academic Year
2009/2010
Co-ordinator
Dr Engobo Emeseh
Semester
Distance Learning
Co-Requisite
LAM5410
Pre-Requisite
LAM5210
Pre-Requisite
LAM5110
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Other The module is delivered by distance learning with on-line support
Seminars / Tutorials Seminars and tutorials at residential study weekends only.
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment One assignment of 5,000 words  100%
Supplementary Assessment One assignment of 5,000 words  100%

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of the International Law of the Sea.
2. Display a detailed knowledge and understanding of the marine environment.
3. Critically evaluate the effect of human action on the marine environment and identify strategies for the management of such action to minimise its impact.
4. Critically evaluate the necessity and the criteria for marine special planning in protecting the marine environment.
5. Critically evaluate strategies for the protection of fish stocks and the minimising of marine pollution.

Content

1. Maritime Legal Regimes - a background to environmental aspects of maritime legal regimes at international, European and domestic levels. It provides an overview of some key legal instruments and places these in the context of the wider body of maritime law. It is intended to provide a foundation for the following Units.
2. Marine Pollution- an overview of the main types and sources of marine environmental pollution and the legal measures for their control and regulation.
3. Marine Fisheries Management - an overview of present and proposed international and European marine fisheries management regimes and their effectiveness.
4. Marine Nature Conservation - an overview of international, European and national initiatives for the protection of marine biodiversity.
5. Marine Planning - an overview of recent initiatives to develop legal frameworks for integrated sea use management based on an ecosystem approach to marine planning.

Brief description

This module examines the pressures facing the marine environment and the legal measures taken to address them. The main international legal regimes governing maritime activities and ecosystem management are considered from the perspective of marine environmental protection and examples are drawn from regional agreements. Recent initiatives to achieve integrated management based on ecosystem principles are reviewed and there is detailed consideration of the proposals currently underway in the UK.

Aims

The module will enable students to study the interesting and evolving area of marine law, recognised at European and International level as a major development in the protection of the marine environment. It provides students with an understanding of the threats to the marine environment and the measures that are required to address these, and gives international, regional and national perspectives on a range of environmental issues and policy development. The protection of the marine environment is a quickly evolving area of environmental law and one that is not covered in the current portfolio of available course modules. This module will address that lack and respond positively to student feedback on this issue.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number N/A
Communication Written communication is developed by the presentation of information and argument in written answers and in a more informal way by the use of Blackboard to encourage communication among students and between students and staff. Oral communication skills are developed at the residential study schools. Written communication only is assessed.
Improving own Learning and Performance Distance learning, by its very nature, requires strong individual learning and performance structures and this module further develops key skills in this area.
Information Technology The module is delivered almost entirely by distance learning which relies heavily on the use of electronic information resources and on-line learning and teaching.
Personal Development and Career planning Independent learning enhances time management skills. Studying the module will also develop an enhanced capacity for critical thought and the ability to work independently.
Problem solving By the examination and discussion of actual and hypothetical case studies.
Research skills Through the detailed study at advanced level of literature, legal material and research findings on the subject.
Subject Specific Skills This module provides students with the opportunity to identify, analyse, evaluate and practise a series of series of skills with respect to the negotiation of international contracts
Team work Team working skills will be encouraged and developed in group activities and discussions at the residential study schools.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7