LAWS 3048 Law of the Sea

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Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 200804

Coordinator Robin Bowley Opens in new window

Description This unit will introduce students to the rules regulating the principle uses of the world's oceans. It will highlight historical development of the law of the sea, the sources of the contemporary law of the sea and the adoption of the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Legal regime of various maritime zones including territorial sea and contiguous zone, continental shelf, the exclusive economic zone and the high seas will be studied. Various sources of marine pollution, fisheries, marine scientific research, maritime spatial planning, deep sea bed mining and dispute settlement will also be explored in this unit.

School Law

Discipline International Law

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Pre-requisite(s) LAWS 2008

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
  1. Explain the relevant international law and policy affecting the oceans
  2. Identify various maritime zones in terms of oceans governance and the present status of the law of the sea
  3. Apply knowledge and understanding to make an assessment of where the law of the sea can be expected to develop in the future
  4. Analyse practical fact situations, locate and apply the relevant legal norms to them

Subject Content

Nature and History of the Law of the Sea
Baselines and Regime of Internal Waters
The Territorial Sea and Contiguous Zone
Special Passage Regimes: International Straits and Archipelagos
The Exclusive Economic Zone
The Continental Shelf: Principles of Maritime Delimitation
Marine Pollution
Fisheries
Marine Scientific Research
Maritime Spatial Planning System
High Seas, Common Heritage of Mankind and Deep Sea Bed Mining
Dispute Settlement

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Item Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Presentation 1,000 - 1,500 words 20 N Individual
Intra-session Exam 1 hour 30 N Individual
Final Exam 3,000 - 3,500 words 50 N Individual

Prescribed Texts

  • Donald R. Rothwell and Tim Stephens, The International Law of the Sea (Hart, 2010)

Teaching Periods

Autumn

Parramatta - Victoria Rd

Weekend

Subject Contact Robin Bowley Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window

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