Download LLM Global and Environmental Climate Change Law

LLM Programme in
Global Environment and Climate Change Law
PROGRAMME PROPOSAL
Background
The proposed LLM in Global Environment and Climate Change Law builds upon existing
environment-related LLM courses offered by the School of Law, with the addition of a new
LLM course on Comparative Environmental Law, as well as on existing and new Masters
courses offered by the School of Social and Political Science, the Business School and the
School of Geosciences. The programme will therefore provide a new visibility to ongoing
teaching activities within the School and Law, as well as provide new opportunities for
collaboration with other Schools.
It will aim at equipping students with specialist legal knowledge and skills, as well as with the
understanding of political, economic and scientific issues underpinning such a dynamic and
increasingly specialized area as environmental law and its interactions other areas of law
(trade, development, investment, agriculture, human rights) and across different levels of
governance (international, European and national).
The programme is particularly timely, in light of the notable intensification in
intergovernmental environmental negotiations in 2009: key international legal instruments
that are currently being negotiated include the post-2012 international regime on climate
change, an international instrument on access and benefit-sharing related to genetic resources,
and a legal framework on liability related to biosecurity, to name but a few. These ongoing
developments at the international are paralleled by continuous efforts in the development and
implementation of environmental law at the European, regional and national level, as well as
by ongoing discussions on the implications of environmental law for other areas of law.
Programme information
Proposed timetable
The programme is to be advertised once approved and is planned to commence in September
2010.
Assessment arrangements
Assessment will be made in line with university criteria and those specific to the School of
Law. Summative assessment will be used in the courses. Formative assessment may be used
as appropriate.
Arrangements for progression and award
Progression to the dissertation and award of the LLM degree will be decided, in line with
University Taught Postgraduate Assessment Regulations and other guidance, by a Board of
Examiners administered in the School of Law and composed of staff teaching on the degree.
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Specifically, the normal conditions for progression and exit awards are as follows:
In order to progress to the masters dissertation candidates must:
* attain at least 80 credits with a pass at masters level or more in each of the separate elements
and
* be awarded an aggregate pass at masters level for the 120 credits of study examined at the
point of decision for progression and
In order to be awarded a masters degree candidates must:
* have satisfied the requirements for progression, as laid out above, and
* attain 60 credits, by achieving a pass at masters level for the dissertation.
Any student who meets criteria for progression but who then does not pass the dissertation is
eligible to receive the Diploma.
Supervision of dissertation
Dissertations will be generally supervised within the School of Law; where expertise is
identified elsewhere in the University this may be drawn upon as appropriate. Opportunities
to offer joint supervision by the School of Law and the other Schools contributing to the
programme will be explored on a case-by-case basis.
Arrangements for provision of generic skills training
Library session will be given to all LLM students by Law Librarians during freshers’ week.
Librarians are developing an online module in legal information research skills. In addition,
two on-line self-study modules have been developed: (a) The UK legal system and western
tradition; (b) legal research methods and resources.
External Assessment
To be arranged.
Market information
A study into the potential market for the degree has been completed and suggests a market
exists which has not reached saturation (see separate document).
Resource information
Tuition fees
Standard fees are to be charged for this programme (UK/EU £3,400; other international
£12,225).
Staff resources
The programme reflects existing areas of expertise within all schools involved.
Administration
This programme will be administered within the School of Law and directed by Dr. Elisa
Morgera.
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