production
Skip to Content

LS452W: SPACE LAW: PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW (2023-2024)

Last modified: 23 Jul 2024 10:43


Course Overview

This course addresses the international legal rules and principles applicable to activities in outer space, including the UN-based space treaties and international customary (space) law, and also the many specialised regimes such as those applicable to the protection of the outer space environment, the regulation of military activities and the peaceful settlement of international space law disputes. 

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Term Second Term Credit Points 25 credits (12.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Maria Manoli

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • One of Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4 or Programme Level 5
  • Any Undergraduate Programme
  • Either Law (LS) or Bachelor Of Laws With International Exchange (With Honours)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course addresses the international legal rules and principles applicable to activities in outer space, including the UN-based space treaties and international customary (space) law, and also the many specialised regimes such as those applicable to the protection of the outer space environment, the regulation of military activities and the peaceful settlement of international space law disputes.

The aims of this course are fivefold.

First, this course aims to introduce students to the legal framework under international law that pertains to the rights and obligations of States in relation to the various uses of outer space, and the mechanisms in place that allow States to settle their disputes peacefully.

Second, students will become familiar with the history and underlying legal principles of law addressing outer space and how space law has been influenced by the principles of sovereignty, common heritage of mankind and the freedom of the high seas. This will enable a better understanding of the tensions between these principles when applied to specific areas of space law, such as the utilization of outer space resources and the protection of the outer space environment against space debris pollution.

Third, students may further advance their legal skills by applying their knowledge of general public international law principles to the specialist international law governing the activities of States in the exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies.

Fourth, students will develop their legal skills in relation to reading and analysing existing legal provisions as applicable to the regulation of space-based military activities and the approaches developed in the practice of the United Nations and individual States.

Fifth, students will be exposed to cutting-edge developments in international law, such as recent decisions and resolutions by international organisations and agencies relating to space law, and the ongoing work of competent international bodies such as the European Space Agency (ESA).


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 50
Assessment Weeks 39 Feedback Weeks 41

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Feedback will be provided via the gradebook on MyAberdeen.

Word Count 2500
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseRecognize and analyse the different conflicts that arise from the governance of outer space and the activities which take place on it from a jurisdictional and sectoral perspective.
ReflectionAnalyseBe able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the area of international space law.

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 50
Assessment Weeks 31 Feedback Weeks 34

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Feedback will be provided via the gradebook on MyAberdeen.

Word Count 2500
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandDevelop practical understanding of concepts and rules of international space law by analysing examples using general principles, rules and procedures of international law and crafting legal arguments.
ProceduralApplyDevelop reasoning, research and communication skills to generate critical and creative ideas relating to the use of law in the peaceful and sustainable utilization of outer space resources.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Re-sit Failed Element in same format if due to to extenuating circumstances.

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandDevelop practical understanding of concepts and rules of international space law by analysing examples using general principles, rules and procedures of international law and crafting legal arguments.
ConceptualUnderstandObtain grounding in international legal and regulatory framework governing space, the sources of space law, international treaties, and custom, and how these elements are tested in different contexts.
ConceptualAnalyseRecognize and analyse the different conflicts that arise from the governance of outer space and the activities which take place on it from a jurisdictional and sectoral perspective.
ProceduralApplyDevelop reasoning, research and communication skills to generate critical and creative ideas relating to the use of law in the peaceful and sustainable utilization of outer space resources.
ReflectionAnalyseBe able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the area of international space law.

Compatibility Mode

We have detected that you are have compatibility mode enabled or are using an old version of Internet Explorer. You either need to switch off compatibility mode for this site or upgrade your browser.