Law and Natural Resources I: Framework, Rights and Land

a)    Description

This module examines international, regional and national legal and institutional arrangements concerning the conservation and use of natural resources. It introduces legal principles relevant to the conservation and use of natural resources in international and national law. It examines in particular focuses on the international law aspects of natural resource use and conservation, the North-South dimension and on individual developing country case studies. It focus on issues of governance (state, commons and private aspects), rights (including human rights, property rights), and on land as the main resource through which other natural resources are accessed. 

b)   Indicative syllabus (subject to change)

Semester 1

Week 1. Context, Sustainable Development and Inequality

Week 2. Framework for the Use and Conservation of Natural Resources – Basic Principles 

Week 3. Evolving Governance and Role of International Financial Institutions

Rights, Participation and Access to Justice

Week 4. Human Rights and Natural Resources 

Week 5. Property Rights over Natural Resources 

Week 6. Participatory Natural Resources Management 

Week 7. Access to Justice and Natural Resources 

Land

Week 8. Land Rights, Land Reform and Land Acquisition 

Week 9. Large Scale Land Acquisitions and Beyond 

Week 10. Land Rights and Indigenous Peoples

c)   Assessment (subject to change)

Assessment: Essay: 3’500 words (100% of the total mark)

d)   General Reference Books Related to the Course