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
Climate change is one of the major problems confronting humanity in the twenty-first century. It affects everybody to a greater or lesser degree and its impacts will intensify unless we find ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As such, this may be the most important module you take during your degree. This module examines the ways in which law can be used to address the problem as well as its limitations. The module is based on the climate science of the Intergovernmental Panel on climate change and will examine the politics and economics of climate change in addition to the law. We will examine the role of international agreements such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, as well as regional initiatives in the EU and domestic legislation. Amongst the questions that the module addresses is whether it is more important to seek global or local solutions. The module examines the impact of climate change on developing countries and alternative perspectives on nature such Andean cosmovisions and local knowledge such as that of the Artic Inuit peoples.
The module will examine the possibilities of using a range of law from human rights and international environmental law to international criminal law and tort. We will look at the role of carbon markets, carbon taxes and other ways of reducing emissions.
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.
Study time
| Type |
Required |
| Lectures |
9 sessions of 2 hours (12%)
|
| Seminars |
7 sessions of 1 hour (5%)
|
| Private study |
125 hours (83%)
|
| Total |
150 hours |
Private study description
No private study requirements defined for this module.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.
Assessment group B1
|
Weighting |
Study time |
Eligible for self-certification |
|
Online Examination
|
100%
|
|
No
|
|
Students will answer one question from a list given.
- Online examination: No Answerbook required
|
Feedback on assessment
Generic feedback will be provided via Moodle, and students can request one to one feedback in October.
Past exam papers for LA363
Courses
This module is Optional for:
-
UIBA-MN34 Law and Business Four Year (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 3 of
MN34 Law and Business Studies Four Year (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 4 of
MN34 Law and Business Studies Four Year (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 2 of
ULAA-M130 Undergraduate Law
-
ULAA-M300 Undergraduate Law
-
Year 2 of
M300 Law
-
Year 3 of
M300 Law
-
ULAA-M105 Undergraduate Law (3 year) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 2 of
M105 Law (3 year) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 3 of
M105 Law (3 year) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 2 of
ULAA-M131 Undergraduate Law (4 Year)
-
ULAA-M106 Undergraduate Law (4 year) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 2 of
M106 Law (4 year) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 3 of
M106 Law (4 year) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 4 of
M106 Law (4 year) (Qualifying Degree)
-
ULAA-M104 Undergraduate Law (Year Abroad)
-
Year 2 of
M104 Law (Year Abroad)
-
Year 4 of
M104 Law (Year Abroad)
-
Year 2 of
ULAA-M132 Undergraduate Law (Year Abroad)
-
ULAA-M108 Undergraduate Law (Year Abroad) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 2 of
M108 Law (Year Abroad) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 4 of
M108 Law (Year Abroad) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 3 of
UIBA-MN31 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies
-
UIBA-MN32 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies
-
Year 3 of
MN32 Law and Business Studies (Four-Year)
-
Year 4 of
MN32 Law and Business Studies (Four-Year)
-
UIBA-MN37 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies (Qualifying Degree) with Intercalated Year
-
Year 2 of
MN37 Law and Business Studies (Qualifying Degree) with Intercalated Year
-
Year 4 of
MN37 Law and Business Studies (Qualifying Degree) with Intercalated Year
-
Year 5 of
MN37 Law and Business Studies (Qualifying Degree) with Intercalated Year
-
UIBA-MN35 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (3+1)
-
Year 3 of
MN35 Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (3+1)
-
Year 4 of
MN35 Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (3+1)
-
UIBA-MN36 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (4+1)
-
Year 4 of
MN36 Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (4+1)
-
Year 5 of
MN36 Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (4+1)
-
Year 3 of
ULAA-ML33 Undergraduate Law and Sociology
-
Year 2 of
ULAA-M133 Undergraduate Law with French Law
-
Year 2 of
ULAA-M10A Undergraduate Law with French Law (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 2 of
ULAA-M134 Undergraduate Law with German Law
-
Year 2 of
ULAA-M10C Undergraduate Law with German Law (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 3 of
ULAA-M110 Undergraduate Law with Humanities (3 Year)
-
Year 2 of
ULAA-M136 Undergraduate Law with Humanities (3 Year)
-
ULAA-M113 Undergraduate Law with Humanities (4 Year) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 2 of
M113 Law with Humanities (4 year) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 3 of
M113 Law with Humanities (4 year) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 2 of
ULAA-M115 Undergraduate Law with Social Sciences (3 Year) (Qualifying Degree)
-
UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law
-
Year 2 of
V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law
-
Year 3 of
V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law
-
Year 4 of
UPHA-V7MX Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law (with Intercalated Year)
This module is Unusual option for:
-
UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law
-
Year 2 of
V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law
-
Year 3 of
V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law
This module is Option list A for:
-
Year 4 of
ULAA-M10A Undergraduate Law with French Law (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 4 of
ULAA-M10C Undergraduate Law with German Law (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 4 of
ULAA-M113 Undergraduate Law with Humanities (4 Year) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 3 of
ULAA-M115 Undergraduate Law with Social Sciences (3 Year) (Qualifying Degree)
This module is Option list B for:
-
ULAA-ML34 BA in Law and Sociology (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 3 of
ML34 Law and Sociology (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 4 of
ML34 Law and Sociology (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 5 of
ULAA-ML35 BA in Law and Sociology (Qualifying Degree) (with Intercalated year)
-
Year 4 of
ULAA-ML33 Undergraduate Law and Sociology
This module is Option list E for:
-
Year 2 of
UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law