Course Listing

Law of the Sea: Theory and Practice
Last Updated Date:   8 July 2024


5 Units,  Semester 2

Course Description:
The Law of the Sea is course in public international law. It governs the rights and obligations of States in uses of the oceans, in the exploitation of its resources and in the protection and preservation of its environment. The main focus of the course is on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which was adopted in 1982 after nine years of negotiations and which was intended to establish a legal order for all uses the oceans that would withstand the test of time. We will examine how UNCLOS came about, how it balances the interests of coastal States and user States, and how its provisions are being interpreted by States and by the institutions established under it. This will include an examination of the relevance and limits of UNCLOS in resolving intractable disputes such as those in South China Sea. We will also examine how UNCLOS is being adapted, modified and supplemented to meet the challenges posed by technological and scientific developments, by the development of international environment law, and by the existential threats posed by global warming and sea-level rise.

Course Convenor: Emeritus Prof RC Beckman

Co-teacher(s): Nil

Course Codes: LL4140V / LL5140V / LLD5140V / LL6140V / LLJ5140V

Contact Hours: 3hr weekly seminar

Workload: 3 hours

Mode of Assessment: Class Participation - 20%; Writing Assignment (1000 words) - 20% [Due: Mon after Recess Break; Final Examination - 60%

Preclusions: Students who have completed a course in Law of the Sea or Ocean Law & Policy

Prerequisites: NUS Compulsory Core Law Curriculum or common law equivalent.

Examination Date: Tuesday, 29 April 2025 (PM)

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