Questions relating to the status, distribution and use of science and technology are of growing significance for a range of international legal fields and doctrines, across international economic law, the law of the sea, international environment and climate law, and the law of territory. This subject enables students to explore these changes and their significance for international society. The subject introduces students to key disputes, treaties and institutions, and explores the influence of diverse disciplines including economics, history, anthropology, and science and technology studies (STS) on legal debates. Throughout, we consider overarching questions of the legal treatment of scientific knowledge, the distribution and commercialisation of technology in international society, and the significance of technological change for legal doctrine.
The aim of the course is to equip students to navigate competing views on the significance of science and technology, to consider common challenges and approaches across different fields of law, and to critically reflect on the role of international law in contemporary developments. While the content of the course will change year-on-year to reflect current controversies, an indicative list of topics includes: vaccine distribution, genetic resources and traditional knowledge, the role of science in climate litigation, and artificial islands and the construction of territory.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Review the significance of international law in issues relating to science and technology at local and international levels.
- Communicate the significance of developments in treaty, custom and jurisprudence relating to international law, science and technology to both legal and non-legal audiences.
- Develop insight into interdisciplinary approaches to science and technology and connect those approaches to relevant international legal materials.
- Critically reflect on interdisciplinary and international legal materials in order to develop professional and ethical capabilities relating to science and technology.
- Propose and execute legal research informed by methodological debates relating to science and technology across international law and other disciplines.
Indicative Assessment
- The proposed means of assessment for this course will provide students with at least two pieces of assessment, including one piece during the teaching period. More information about the means of assessment, including the relationship between the assessment and the learning outcomes of the course, will be available in the class summary and on the course WATTLE page. (100) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
- Classes offered in non-standard sessions will be taught semi-intensively with compulsory contact hours of approximately 36 hours of face to face teaching. The course will also require advanced preparation through assigned readings. In total, it is anticipated that the hours required for completion of this course (class preparation, teaching and completion of assessment) will not exceed 120 hours.
- Classes offered during semester periods are expected to have three contact hours per week. Students are generally expected to devote at least 10 hours overall per week to this course. In total, it is anticipated that the hours required for completion of this course (class preparation, teaching and completion of assessment) will not exceed 120 hours.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Students must rely on the approved Class Summary which will be posted to the Programs and Courses site approximately two weeks prior to the commencement of the course. Alternatively, this information will be published in the Program course list when finalised.
Preliminary Reading
Students must rely on the approved Class Summary which will be posted to the Programs and Courses site approximately two weeks prior to the commencement of the course. Alternatively, this information will be published in the Program course list when finalised.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 34
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.