Law of the Oceans and the Antarctic unit (LAW191)

Hobart, Online

Introduction

The ‘blue economy’ of oceans related industries is set for significant expansion in the first half of twenty first century. Australia has one of the largest areas of ocean estate in the world. Tasmania is also are a global centre for scientific research, governance and logistical support for Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. This unit leverages of these strengths to provide students with essential knowledge and understanding of the key international legal regimes and policy debates relating to the oceans and Antarctic region. The unit will examine the key provisions of treaties and institutions such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Antarctica Treaty System and International Whaling Commission, which govern scientific research, environmental protection, marine resource harvesting and other human uses of the oceans and Antarctic region. The unit will also introduce students to the interplay between international law and geopolitics that shape the rules and institutions governing the future of our oceans and the Antarctic region.

Summary

Unit name	Law of the Oceans and the Antarctic
Unit code	LAW191
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Arts and Society Faculty of Law
Discipline	Law
Coordinator	Professor Jeffrey McGee
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Introductory

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Hobart	Semester 2
Online	Semester 2

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 2	5/7/2026	27/7/2026	30/8/2026	24/10/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the key provisions of the law of the sea, Antarctic Treaty system and other international law relating to the oceans and Antarctica.
• Apply this understanding to assess current and/or past developments in international law relating to the oceans and Antarctica.
• Critically assess public statements, public documents and/or commentaries on international law and policy relating to the oceans and Antarctica.
• Effectively present written and oral material on international law and policy relating to the oceans and Antarctica.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
090999	$2,174.00	$1,703.00	not applicable	$2,249.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

LAW606

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	2 hour lecture per week (on campus or online) 1 hour tutorial per week (on campus or online)
Assessment	Multiple Choice Test (20%)|Essay: Critical Assessment (40%)|Oral presentation (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Yoshifumi Tanaka, 2023, The International Law of the Sea, Cambridge University Press (4th edition)- available online through the Library

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.