UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Confirmation that this version of the module specification has been approved by the School Graduate
Studies Committee:
18/12/2014
MODULE SPECIFICATION
1.
Title of the module
Laws of the Maritime, Air and Outer Spaces II (LW904)
2.
School or partner institution which will be responsible for management of the module
Kent Law School
3.
Start date of the module
January 2007, revised start date 2014-15
4.
The number of students expected to take the module
20
5.
Modules to be withdrawn on the introduction of this proposed module and consultation with
other relevant Schools and Faculties regarding the withdrawal
None
6.
The level of the module
Postgraduate [M]
7.
The number of credits and the ECTS value which the module represents
20 credits (10 ECTS)
8.
Which term(s) the module is to be taught in (or other teaching pattern)
Autumn or spring
9.
Prerequisite and co-requisite modules
None
10. The programmes of study to which the module contributes
LLM in (Specialisation); PG Diploma in (Specialisation); PG Certificate in Law
Revision approved February 2015
UNIVERSITY OF KENT
11. The intended subject specific learning outcomes
By the end of the course students should be able to demonstrate:
11.1 An advanced understanding of the relationships between the legal regimes governing
international business transactions relating to the movement of vessels, goods and persons in
maritime, sea, airspace and outer space territories.
11.2 A critical understanding of the unification and harmonisation of private international regulation
of maritime law, air law and space law through the adoption of international treaties and
conventions.
11.3 An understanding of the principles of liability for maritime, airspace and outer space activities.
11.4 Knowledge of key legal dimensions of the aviation business, such as aviation insurance and
liability for damage.
11.5 An appreciation of the legal and economic implications of the development of space activities,
particularly the commercialization of space transportation and communications systems, as
well as the fast developing potentials of exploitation of space based resources.
12. The intended generic learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will be able to demonstrate the following skills:
12.1 Analytical thought and writing: an ability to reflect upon complex ideas and arguments, to
digest, analyse and test scholarly views, to relate scholarly ideas and arguments to issues and
circumstances in the contemporary global political economy and to summarise and analyse
scholarly arguments in writing
12.2 Advocacy and defence: an ability to formulate an opinion in response to an issue or question
and to construct coherent and persuasive arguments to advocate one’s view and to defend
that view against criticism
12.3 Communication and presentation skills: an ability to prepare oral and written presentations of
information and viewpoints to peers; to respond to comment and criticism from peers; and to
lead and manage group discussion
12.4 Problem-solving: an ability to respond at short notice to questions and challenges making use
of knowledge, analytical tools and perspectives acquired in the module
12.5 Cross disciplinary approaches: an ability to adopt cross disciplinary approaches to the study of
law and to appreciate the interactions between law with other disciplines, particularly
international relations, economics and politics as well as science and technology.
13. A synopsis of the curriculum
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Introduction: Commercialisation and the Legal Regulation of the environments of the
Seas, Air and Outer Space.
Carriage of goods by Sea: Issues of Sovereignty and Jurisdiction/The Course of Business
and the Contract of carriage.
Aviation Insurance and the Incidence of Crimes in the Air.
The Common Heritage Principle Revisited: Legal Management of Common or Straddling
Resources in the Seas and Outer Space.
Legal and Economic Implications of the Development of Space Tourism.
Voyage Charterparties Implied and Express Terms and other clauses.
Liability, Insurance and Intellectual Property concerns of Space Activities.
Legal Status of the Airspace and the Carriage of Goods by Air: The Warsaw Convention
and The Warsaw Convention as amended –documentation and liability.
Modalities for the Sharing of Maritime Cross boundary Resources
Legal aspects of the Commercialization of Space Transportation.
Revision approved February 2015
UNIVERSITY OF KENT
14. Indicative Reading List
Core Texts
Gbenga Oduntan, Sovereignty and Jurisdiction in Airspace and Outer Space: Legal Criteria for
Spatial Delimitation. London: Routledge Research in International Law 2012.
Indira Carr, International Trade Law, 2005 London: Cavendish (2013).
Wilson, J Carriage of Goods by Sea London. 7th edition Edinburgh Pearson 2010.
Nicholas Grief, Public International Law in the Airspace of the High Seas, London, Martinus Nijhoff
Publishers, 1994.
Churchill & Lowe, The Law of the Sea 3rd edn, 1999.
Other Sources:
Michael Hirst, Jurisdiction and the Ambit of the Criminal Law Oxford: Oxford Monographs on
Criminal Law and Justice 2003.
Nixon Dennis W. Marine and Coastal Law: Cases and Materials, Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers ,
1994.
Yates David, Gaskell Nick et.al. (eds.) Contracts for the Carriage of Goods by Land, Sea and Air
London: LLP Ltd, (2001).
Articles in the following journals:
Journal of International Economic Law
Journal of Air Law and Commerce
American Journal of International Law
Lloyd’s Maritime & Commercial Law Quarterly
Journal of Maritime Law & Commerce
Journal of Business Law
Maritime Briefing
15. Learning and Teaching Methods, including the nature and number of contact hours and the
total study hours which will be expected of students, and how these relate to achievement of
the intended module learning outcomes
The student is expected to spend approximately 200 hours of study over 12 weeks (which will consist
of 2 hours of staff-student contact per week (excluding reading and writing weeks) totalling 18 hours
and, 182 hours of private study. Staff-student contact will take the form of one lecture hour and a
supervised seminar hour.
Revision approved February 2015
UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Lectures primarily contribute to the knowledge and understanding components of the subject
specific learning outcomes (11.1-5). The seminars contribute both to those subject-specific outcomes
and to the enhancement of general intellectual and transferable skills (12.1-5).
16. Assessment methods and how these relate to testing achievement of the intended module
learning outcomes
By submission of an essay of 4-5,000 words on a title normally chosen from a short list of assigned
titles (subject specific learning outcomes (11.1-11.5)) and generic learning outcomes (12.1-12.5). This
accounts for 80% of assessment.
There is a participation assessment of 20% to be apportioned in the following manner:
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(a) substance of the 2000 word group paper contribution (10%) (subject specific learning
outcomes (11.1-11.4)) and generic learning outcomes (12.1-12.5);
(b) oral presentation/viva sessions of the paper by each group participant (10%) (subject specific
learning outcomes (11.1-11.4) and generic learning outcomes (12.2-12.4)
A single mark will be allocated to the group paper and awarded to each participant. For the oral
presentation/viva session however, students will present orally in groups but each student will be
formally assessed on their individual contribution and marked individually. The convenor will take
opportunities to clarify aspects of each student’s contribution to the group, as well as their
overall knowledge and understanding. Students will also have the ability to discuss any ‘freeriding’ concerns with the convenor as necessary.
These methods permit students to develop their research, writing and analytical skills while providing
scope to demonstrate the deep and detailed knowledge and understanding of the subject area
required in a module at the postgraduate level.
17. Implications for learning resources, including staff, library, IT and space
None
18. The School recognises and has embedded the expectations of current disability equality legislation,
and supports students with a declared disability or special educational need in its teaching. Within
this module we will make reasonable adjustments wherever necessary, including additional or
substitute materials, teaching modes or assessment methods for students who have declared and
discussed their learning support needs. Arrangements for students with declared disabilities will be
made on an individual basis, in consultation with the University’s disability/dyslexia support service,
and specialist support will be provided where needed.
19. Campus where module will be delivered: Canterbury
Revision approved February 2015