Unit Outline

Antarctica and the Southern Ocean are a unique biophysical region of the planet and similarly have unique governance arrangements. This unit provides an advanced analysis of the institutions, rules and power structures which govern the Antarctic region. The unit closely examines the Antarctic Treaty System, but also other important institutions that play a governance role in the region, including the International Whaling Commission and International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators. Drawing on theories of law, governance and geopolitics, this unit explores the following thematic challenges relating to human activity in the Antarctic region: Antarctic Resources, Antarctic Science, Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics, Strategic issues in Antarctica, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change. The unit explores the interactions between nation states, non-state actors and international organisations and the intersection of interests, rights and rules in the development of Antarctic governance institutions. Completing the unit will equip students from a wide variety of academic disciplines with the ability to view governance of Antarctica from a more holistic perspective. This will assist students to understand and critically assess the basis for international policy decisions relating to Antarctic and the Southern Ocean, a region of key national interest for Australia, and of vital importance for global ecosystems and the international political system.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Analyse the Antarctic Treaty System from historical, legal, geopolitical and scientific perspectives.
2	Analyse the intersections between the Antarctic Treaty System and other governance institutions in the area to further policy choices
3	Appraise the effectiveness of Antarctic governance institutions to inform policy debate and choice
4	Critically assess the key challenges for Antarctic governance in the early 21st century

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	KSA201

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Multiple Choice Test	Week 4	20 %	LO1
Assessment Task 2:	Critical Analysis of Antarctic Literature	Week 8	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Group Report: Drafting and Presenting an Antarctic Policy Document	Week 14	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Multiple Choice Test

Task Description:

Online open book multiple choice test on fundamental knowledge of the Antarctic Treaty System

Task Length:

20 multiple choice questions

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify historical, legal, geopolitical and scientific aspects of the Antarctic Treaty System	LO1
2	Describe characteristics of the Antarctic Treaty System	LO1
3	Interpret varying perspectives in relation to Antarctic Treaty System	LO1

Assessment Task 2: Critical Analysis of Antarctic Literature

Task Description:

Students will be provided with a piece of Antarctic Governance literature such as an opinion piece or short article and will critically analyse and assess it to provide a written review.

Task Length:

2500 words

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Assess the factual, interpretative and normative claims made in the literature	LO4
2	Analyse the claims made in the literature against the rules and norms of the Antarctic Treaty System and other governance institutions in the region	LO4
3	Explain the different views on measuring the effectiveness of international institutions	LO3
4	Apply theories of effectiveness to the Antarctic treaty system	LO3
5	Assess the significance and consequences of regime intersection in managing the Antarctic region	LO2
6	Interpret varying perspectives in relation to Antarctic Treaty System	LO1

Assessment Task 3: Group Report: Drafting and Presenting an Antarctic Policy Document

Task Description:

Students will work in small teams of up to 3 students to draft a mock policy document for submission to an international meeting of the Antarctic Treaty System. Students in these teams will draft the document and then present the document to the class in a short 15 minute presentation, including answering questions about it. The group presentation will be delivered in Week 9 and the report in week 14.

Task Length:

1750 words for policy document 750 words of explanatory material for presentation

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Interpret varying perspectives in relation to Antarctic Treaty System	LO1
2	Communicate the strengths and weaknesses of Antarctic governance to relevant audiences	LO1
3	Describe the points of intersection between the Antarctic Treaty System and other governance institutions in the area	LO2
4	Assess the significance and consequences of regime intersection in managing the Antarctic region	LO2
5	Explain the different views on measuring the effectiveness of international institutions	LO3
6	Apply theories of effectiveness to the Antarctic treaty system	LO3
7	Use Antarctic governance and broader literature to inform perspectives and assessment	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.