Type of course

Master level

The course is part of the Master of Laws programme in Law of the Sea and builds on JUR-3050 General Law of the Sea and JUR-3054 General Law of the Sea II.

The course is given during the spring term.

Admission requirements

Only students admitted to the Master of Laws program in Law of the Sea may register for the exam of this course.

Obligatory prerequisites:

JUR-3050 General Law of the Sea, JUR-3054 General Law of the Sea II.

Obligatory prerequisites

Course content

The course covers the following topics:

• The interaction between the law of the sea and the relevant rules and principles of international environmental law

• Obligations of states to protect and preserve the marine environment

• Obligations of states to prevent, reduce and control pollution

• Key sources of marine pollution

• The use of marine genetic resources and biodiversity protection

• Climate change and the law of the sea

Objectives of the course

Knowledge:

Having passed the exam, the student shall have acquired:

• Knowledge of the relevant rules and principles of international environmental law applicable in the context of the protection and preservation of the marine environment and the sustainable use of its resources

• Advanced knowledge of the international legal regime for the protection and preservation of the marine environment

• Specific knowledge of relevant (international and regional) legal frameworks governing key sources of marine pollution

• Specific knowledge of different (international and regional) legal frameworks governing the conservation and/or sustainable use of marine living and non-living resources from the perspective of environmental protection

• Knowledge of the role of different global and regional bodies in the protection and preservation of the marine environment, and in the sustainable management of living and non-living resources

• Knowledge of key legal developments concerning marine genetic resources, marine biological diversity, and marine protected areas (e.g., the BBNJ process and the High Seas Treaty)

• Knowledge of the different legal issues that arise from human uses of the oceans in relation to climate change

Skills:

Having passed the exam the student is able to:

• Identify and understand the pressures that different uses of the oceans and climate change place on the health of the marine environment and on the resilience of ecosystems and biodiversity

• Identify, evaluate and critically analyse the structural and issue-specific shortcomings of the international legal framework dealing with the protection and preservation of the marine environment

• Identify and critically interpret the relevant sources of the law of the sea relating to the protection of the marine environment

• Use legal methodology to analyse law of the sea questions

• Apply theoretical and practical reasoning to formulate appropriate responses to different problems threatening the health of the marine environment and the resilience of ecosystems and biodiversity

• Think creatively in the development of responses to different law of the sea problems

General qualifications:

Having passed the exam, the student will be able to:

• Apply and transfer acquired knowledge and skills to new law of the sea questions and scenarios

• Identify and analyse law of the sea questions of both a theoretical and practical character

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, about law of the sea questions with proper use of relevant legal methodology and terminology

• Demonstrate the ability to work independently as well as the ability to cooperate and effectively work as part of a team

• Identify and reflect on ethical dilemmas that may arise within the law of the sea, especially those related to the protection and preservation of the marine environment, and deal with these in a responsible manner.

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods

This course uses interactive and dynamic teaching methods. The course will consist out of a combination of lectures, seminars, a colloquium on jurisprudences with student presentations/written coursework; comprising a total of 30 hours. Guest lectures can be included as an addition.

Students are encouraged to participate actively during the lectures and seminars. Students are expected to be prepared for lectures and seminars by studying the corresponding literature of the curriculum. Students should study independently in periods when there are no lectures or seminars.