What you will study
The cutting-edge nature of this module means going beyond the law and crosses into the realm of global governance. Its cross-disciplinary nature means delving into areas of the social sciences as well as elements of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). It aims to give you the foundations of how to think about the challenges of the twenty-first century and how to evaluate the possible solutions to those challenges. This means that the content of the module tackles what have become known as ‘wicked problems’.
Wicked problems are challenges that are difficult or impossible to solve. Unravelling wicked problems is at the core of addressing the challenges that humanity face in preserving both the terrestrial and space environments. Appropriately, this module focuses on international environmental law and space law as two instances where wicked problems are centre stage in global governance. The difficulties are immense: yet solving them might be the key to future human prosperity.
The cross-disciplinary framework of the module is reflected in the way that you are assessed. This means you’ll get the chance to use different ways of communicating the law, including drafting a podcast script and creating a policy brief intended for the UK parliament to effect change.
The module is divided into the following nine units, and they all highlight the issues of participation, fairness, and justice in the global order.
Unit 1
You'll learn about the foundations of the international system, the sources of international law, and the key actors.
Unit 2
The focus is on the Global North-South divide, beginning with the impact of colonialism and the acquisition of territory by European powers. It will highlight the inequalities of the international system and the challenges that face the Global South.
Unit 3
You'll focus on international governance through treaties exploring the governance of climate change from the 1992 Rio Earth Summit to the Paris Climate change conference and beyond.
Unit 4
You'll explore the place of international courts in the international system and the change that they have brought to the way that the international system is governed. The unit will use transboundary pollution, rights of nature, and human rights litigation to explore global governance through international courts.
Unit 5
In this unit you'll learn about the proposed amendment to the Statute of the International Criminal Court, adding Ecocide as a new international crime. You'll also learn how to produce an environmental case study in the form of a script for a podcast.
Unit 6
You'll be introduced to the core concepts of the governance of outer space, from the Outer Space Treaty to the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) and more.
Unit 7
You'll look more specifically at planetary protection issues and nascent environmental issues such as space debris, examining the connections with terrestrial environmental issues and governance.
Unit 8
You'll examine the diversity of space actors (or lack of) – in the sense of the organisations, companies, and states engaged in space activities – and the people who comprise those entities.
Unit 9
You'll explore the governance of resource utilisation in the global commons, which includes outer space.
Vocational relevance
If you intend to study this module as part of the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and hope to enter the legal professions, you should read our Careers in Law information. There are different entry requirements into the legal professions in England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland. It is your responsibility to ensure you meet these requirements.