Type of course

Master level students

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, JUR-3054 General Law of the Sea II and JUR-3052 Protection of the Marine Environment by International Law.

The course is given during spring term.

Admission requirements

Only students admitted to the Master of Laws program in Law of the Sea may register for the exam for 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 builds on the three previous courses by using the Arctic as a case study to analyse a wide range of law of the sea issues.

The course covers the following topics:

• Maritime zones in the Arctic
• Law of the sea disputes in the Arctic
• Navigation in the Arctic
• Fisheries in the Arctic
• Offshore energy activities in the Arctic
• The protection and preservation of the Arctic marine environment
• The rights and interests of Arctic indigenous peoples in the marine Arctic
• The role, responsibility, rights, and interests of States and non-State actors (e.g., indigenous peoples) in marine Arctic governance
• The differences and similarities between the regulation of the marine Arctic and other regions (e.g., Antarctica)

Objectives of the course

Knowledge:

Having passed the exam, the student shall have acquired:

• Advanced knowledge of the various maritime zones in the Arctic, their legal status and compatibility with the law of the sea
• Advanced knowledge of the specificities in the regulation of the marine environment, navigation, fishing, and energy activities in the Arctic
• Advanced knowledge of the Svalbard Treaty, including the legal status of the waters off the Svalbard archipelago
• Knowledge of the rights and interests of Arctic and non- Arctic States and non-State actors, including indigenous peoples
• Knowledge of the differences and similarities between the governance of the Arctic and comparable regions (e.g., Antarctica)

Skills:

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

• Analyse (legal) challenges linked to the development of Artic marine resources
• Evaluate and critically evaluate the adequacy of the current international legal regime for the governance and regulation of the marine Arctic in light of climate change and the associated (increased) human activity
• Identify, interpret, and critically evaluate the sources of the law of the sea applicable in the context of the Arctic
• Apply legal methodology to analyse law of the sea questions
• Apply theoretical and practical reasoning to formulate appropriate responses to different law of the sea problems
• Apply comparative methods to examine and evaluate the legal regulation of human activities within the Arctic
• Think creatively in the development of responses to different problems facing the Arctic

General competence:

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
• Demonstrate the ability to prepare for and give a lecture to others on a current law of the sea topic
• Identify and analyse law of the sea questions of 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 in the context of the governance of the Arctic as well as other regions and deal with these in a responsible manner.

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods