School of Oriental and African Studies The following information forms the programme specification at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. It gives definitive information relating to a programme of study and is written for a public audience, particularly prospective and current students. It is also used for other purposes such as initial programme approval, and is therefore produced at the start of the programme development process. Once approved, it forms the base- line information for all statements relating to the programme and is updated as approved amendments are made. CORE INFORMATION Programme title Environmental Law and Sustainable Development Final award MA Intermediate awards N/A Mode of attendance Full time or part time (two or three years) UCAS code N/A Professional body accreditation N/A Date specification created/updated Updated August 2013 WHY CHOOSE THIS PROGRAMME? Why study at SOAS? SOAS is unique as the only higher education institution in the UK specialising in the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The School also has the largest concentration of specialist faculty concerned with the study of these areas at any university in the world. SOAS is consistently ranked among the top higher education institutions in the UK and the world and it offers a friendly, vibrant environment for students in a diverse and close-knit community. What is special about this programme? The MA in Environmental Law and Sustainable Development provides a unique specialisation in one of the most rapidly developing areas of law. It allows students to study environmental law and its application and relevance to a broad range of areas. Environmental law is one of the most challenging fields that has grown very rapidly over the past four decades and is now one of the key areas of both domestic and international law. At SOAS, we understand the environment in a broad sense and the scope of courses offered includes various 1 areas such as natural resources, human rights, economic development, trade or intellectual property rights. The SOAS degree offers a distinct mix of courses that covers all the main areas of environmental law in their international and national dimensions. The international and global nature of many environmental issues makes the international law component a key part of the MA in Environmental Law and Sustainable Development. We offer all the general topics that make up the core of international environmental law. Additionally, we focus specifically on the North-South dimension of international environmental issues given the key role this plays in most international environmental negotiations. The MA in Environmental Law and Sustainable Development specifically seeks to put international environmental law in its national context and examines the broad legal frameworks negotiated at the international level in the context of their implementation in selected countries of the South. It thus provides a much more grounded context to the study of environmental law. Further, we also study the legal regimes of individual countries of the South to provide much more specific analysis of the discipline at the level of its implementation in specific contexts. The MA in Environmental Law and Sustainable Development gives specific emphasis to different regions of the South. Who would it suit? Students without an undergraduate degree in law who would like to acquire knowledge and understanding of environmental law and policy across the world and the interaction between the law and sustainable development. Students with an interest in the development dimension of environmental policy and law, in case studies of specific countries in the South. Students with an interest in the 2 connections between environmental law and policy and the broader development process. SOAS MA students have progressed into a wide range of fields, including the Foreign Office, the European Chamber of Commerce, Intermediate Court(s) and the Red Cross. Programme structure Students take the equivalent of three full courses (45 credits each), with at least two from the programme-specific list of modules and the third either from that list or from a list of over 50 full and half-unit courses, as well as writing a 10,000 word dissertation on a topic related to environmental law and development. Students may be permitted to select one full course, or one half course, or two half courses in place of the equivalent number of Law course(s) (see programme structure) Assessment summary The majority of courses split assessment between assessed coursework (including essays of between 3,000 and 5,000 words) and unseen exams, with some courses assessed by either just unseen exams or just coursework (5,000 to 10,000 words). ENTRY REQUIREMENTS SOAS has general minimum entrance requirements for registration for a postgraduate taught degree and these can be viewed at http://www.soas.ac.uk/admissions/pg/howtoapply/ Undergraduate degree in law not required. Relevant academic work or professional experience will be considered and is likely to be an advantage. PROGRAMME AIMS What will this programme give the student an opportunity to achieve? To develop broad-ranging knowledge of applications of and issues in environmental law and sustainable development, in a context of international and comparative law. To be able to engage in theoretical and empirical analysis of international and comparative law, with particular reference to environmental law. To be able to explain and debate events and trends in environmental law. 3 PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES What will the student learn? Knowledge & Understanding Students will acquire specialist knowledge of environmental law in an international and comparative perspective. This includes, but is not necessarily limited to, knowledge and understanding of the following: a. the theoretical and practical underpinnings of environmental law internationally; b. the context in which law is made, interpreted, adjudicated, and amended; c. the role played by law, particularly environmental law in different situations internationally, particularly its role in promoting sustainable development in the global South; d. the role and function of legal institutions in managing the environment and natural resources; e. the weight and significance of different sources and methodologies. Students will develop knowledge of how to locate relevant materials and assess their relevance and/or importance. Intellectual (thinking) Skills Students should develop rigour in analysis and assessment of legal arguments. Students should develop the ability to understand, summarise and critically assess differing perspectives on theoretical debates. Students should develop independence of thought and the confidence to challenge the accepted wisdom. Students should learn to identify issues and formulate questions for further research through independent work. Students will be encouraged to bring to bear their own previous experience and knowledge in addressing legal issues in an interdisciplinary manner. Subject-based Practical Skills The programme will help students develop the ability to: Write clear research essays and dissertations. Research in a variety of specialized research libraries and institutes and online, and retrieve, sift and select information from a variety of sources. Present seminar papers and defend the arguments therein. Discuss ideas introduced during seminars. Develop essay and dissertation research questions. Read legal source materials rapidly and critically. Present legal arguments in moots and debates. Transferable Skills The programme will enable students to: Communicate effectively in writing. Structure and communicate ideas and arguments effectively both orally and in writing. 4 Read and comprehend significant quantities of reading rapidly and effectively and develop critical faculties. Find and use a variety of written and digital materials, especially legal materials, in libraries and research institutes. Present (non – assessed) material orally. Develop teamwork skills. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE AND REQUIREMENTS FOR GAINING AN AWARD How will the student’s study be structured? How will they achieve an award? Structure, duration and requirements for gaining an award SOAS has standard requirements relating to the structure and duration of taught postgraduate programmes and for the award and classification of these programmes. Details can be found at http://www.soas.ac.uk/registry/degreeregulations/file60379.pdf Programme structure diagram Students must take courses to a total value of 135 credits and a dissertation. Level Year Course Course title Credit Status Notes of code study Students must take courses to a value of 90 credits from the list below 7 1 or 2 15PLAC154 Climate 45 (part- Change, Law time and Policy students only) 7 1 or 2 15PLAC113 Intellectual 45 (part- Property time Rights and students Development only) 7 1 or 2 15PLAC118 International 45 (part- Environmental time Law students only) 7 1 or 2 15PLAC126 Law and 45 (part- Natural time Resources students only) 7 1 or 2 15PDSH049 Water and 22.5 (part- Development: time conflict and 5 students governance only) 7 1 or 2 15PLAH04 Water Law: 22.5 (part- 4 Justice and time Governance students only) AND ONE further course or TWO half courses, to a total value of 45 credits either from the list above or the Law optional list below** AND 1 or 2 15PLAC99 Dissertation in 45 Should be on a or 3 9 Law topic relating (part- to time environmental students law and only) sustainable development ** Students may be permitted to select one full course, or one half course, or two half courses in place of the equivalent number of Law course(s) as follows: (a) a complementary non-Law SOAS Masters level course, if the MA Law Convenor is satisfied that the complementary course is academically appropriate and is closely related to the specialism of the MA Law programme; OR (b) a complementary SOAS postgraduate language acquisition course at the appropriate level, if the MA Law Convenor is satisfied that the complementary language is closely related to either to the specialism of the MA Law programme or to the regional focus of the student's other courses.