LAW5454 - Climate governance and citizen justice - 2017

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Law

Quota applies

Postgraduate programs are based on a model of small group teaching and therefore class sizes need to be restricted.

Not offered in 2017

Notes

For postgraduate Law discontinuation dates, please see http://www.monash.edu/law/current-students/postgraduate/pg-jd-discontinuation-dates

For postgraduate Law unit timetables, please see http://law.monash.edu.au/current-students/course-unit-information/timetables/postgraduate/index.html

Synopsis

This unit will provide a state of the art, up to date overview of the links between climate change and citizen justice. It will discuss the phenomena of climate displacement, providing an understanding of the dynamics of climate displacement, the countries which are now and in the future most heavily affected and the legal and policy measures, including migration, that will be required to ensure that all climate-displaced persons are afforded rights-based and viable solutions to their displacement. By approaching these vexing issues in this manner, the course will provide students with an in-depth understanding of the legal issues involved, how the human rights of climate-affected persons can be invoked and where work is underway today to protect the rights of those affected, with an emphasis on Bangladesh, Fiji, Kiribati, Maldives, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.

Outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  • apply knowledge and understanding of the phenomenon of climate and its effects on enjoyment of internationally recognized rights of citizens;
  • demonstrate the position of international law, in particular human rights law, on climate displacement and the rights of those affected;
  • apply knowledge and understanding of climate governance and its inadequacies, and the key actors in this area, including UN agencies, national governments, civil society actors and affected communities;
  • investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories in relation to climate governance and citizen justice
  • conduct research in climate governance and citizen justice based on knowledge of appropriate research principles and methods; and
  • use cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate at an abstract level complex ideas and concepts relevant to climate governance and citizen justice.

Assessment

One research assignment (3,750 words): 50% and

One take-Home examination (3,750 words): 50%

OR

One research assignment on a topic approved by the lecturer (7,500): 100%

Workload requirements

24 contact hours per semester (either intensive, semi-intensive or semester long, depending on the Faculty resources, timetabling and requirements)

Chief examiner(s)