Introductory description

Global heating is the biggest threat facing all species on Earth in this century and beyond. This module is based on the climate science of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and examines law, ethics, politics and economics of the climate crisis and the possibilities of climate justice in the Anthropocene.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

• The Anthropocene
• Climate science and Earth System science
• The economics of global heating and the limits to growth; planetary boundaries
• The legal framework for global environmental governance including:

Principles of international environmental law

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

The Paris Agreement

• Sustainable development
• Law as problem or solution
• Climate displacement and migration
• Human rights, including indigenous rights
• Carbon markets and taxes
• Climate justice

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the roles of theory to the practice of law and to scientific, social, political and economic problems in relation to environmental issues and global warming; evaluate the logic and coherence of rival arguments; identify assumptions; follow extended trains of argument; understand the relations between law and non-legal forms of thought, and the practical implications of theory.
• Develop written and oral advocacy skills in the analysis, preparation and presentation of legal theory.Experience and practice the planning, negotiation and delivery of theoretical and doctrinal legal, scientific and social scientific analysis including research, drafting/writing, and oral advocacy.Use a variety of information and communication technologies in researching, drafting and presenting class workWork effectively with others and to organise collective responses to legal theoretical issues; andUnderstand the significance of developing appropriate team-working practices and behaviours.
• Research the role of legaltheory in relation to thesesubjects,Investigate the legal theoreticalproblems for particularconstituencies,Understand the contextualoperation and implementation oflegal theory, human rights anddevelopment,Evaluate and analyse thesignificance of legal theory inthe context of law, internationaldevelopment, globalisation andhuman rightsReflect upon their experienceand develop alternative andimproved responses to identifiedproblems where necessary.
• Participate in examples of oraladvocacy in lecture sessionsObserve the professional andethical responsibilities relevantto globalisation, the law and the environment
• Demonstrate advanced written and oral presentational skills

Indicative reading list

View reading list on Talis Aspire

International

This module explores the impact of climate change internationally, and the possibilities of using international and human rights law to encourage its reduction.

Subject specific skills

No subject specific skills defined for this module.

Transferable skills

No transferable skills defined for this module.