LAW 7172 - Strategic Space Law

North Terrace Campus - Winter - 2015

This course will examine the legal aspects of space security, globally and domestically. The content of the course will range across the spectrum from peace to conflict and will cover international law and some domestic law applicable to space situational awareness, sharing of technology, expertise and data, space launch, the space component of ballistic missile defence, space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and means to counter these systems, space-based Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT), satellite communications, use of the radio-frequency spectrum and electronic warfare, counter-space operations and force application from space. On successful completion of this course students should be able to demonstrate advanced knowledge of the intersection of law, strategy and outer space; critically analyse complex problems arising from the application of law to space security; and broadly understand the interests and stakeholders in a variety of contexts associated with strategic space law.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code LAW 7172
    Course Strategic Space Law
    Coordinating Unit Adelaide Law School
    Term Winter
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Intensive
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Course Description This course will examine the legal aspects of space security, globally and domestically. The content of the course will range across the spectrum from peace to conflict and will cover international law and some domestic law applicable to space situational awareness, sharing of technology, expertise and data, space launch, the space component of ballistic missile defence, space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and means to counter these systems, space-based Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT), satellite communications, use of the radio-frequency spectrum and electronic warfare, counter-space operations and force application from space. On successful completion of this course students should be able to demonstrate advanced knowledge of the intersection of law, strategy and outer space; critically analyse complex problems arising from the application of law to space security; and broadly understand the interests and stakeholders in a variety of contexts associated with strategic space law.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Dale Stephens

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    This course will enable students:

    1.  To understand the nature of the space domain, strategy and space power theory.
    2.  To examine the nature of Military and National Security uses of space.
    3.  To identify and effectively interpret the five main Treaties that currently underpin international space regulation.
    4.  To examine the Civil and Commercial uses of space and privitization initiatives with particular reference to Intellectual property rights.
    5.  To understand the Space Law Making Process.
    6.  To examine the role of space based sensors in relation to launch operations, ballistic missiles and missile early warning systems.
    7.  To differentiate the legal regime applicable to air and space law and to understand the development of hybrid air/space vehicles in airspace, near space and outer space.
    8.  To understand the law applicable to Ground based satellite control stations and the terrestrial control of satellites.
    9.  To successfully apply existing legal frameworks to use of force questions in outer space as well as International Humanitarian law principles.
    10.  To develop effective skills, both orally and in writing, in the construction of legal arguement and analysis on issues of the law applicable to Strategic Space Law.
    11.  To undertake self-directed international legal research at a high level, including through the use of online technologies.
    12.  To analyse the characteristics of specific legal - political perspectives by reference to a complex rules-based regime and to draw legally accurate conclusions.

    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 9, 10, 11, 12
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 9, 10, 12
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 10
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 11
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1 - 12
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 9, 10, 11, 12
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1, 3, 4, 5, 9
  • Learning Resources
    Online Learning
    MyUni will be used to post announvements, additional lecture material (including slides, and where available, recordings of lectures) and announce assignment tasks.  It will also contain electronic copies of the Course Profile and Course materials.  Students are expected to check MyUni regularly to keep up to date with these materials and additional learning resources throughout the course.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    No information currently available.

    Workload

    No information currently available.

    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    The course will comprise three assessment pieces:

    1.  Class Participation 10% - ongoing through week 29 June - 3 July 2015.

    2.  Short Issues Paper (1200 words) 30% - due Friday, 10 July 2015.

    3.  Research Essay (4000 words) 60% - due Monday, 3 August 2015.

    Class participation counts for 10% of the overall grade.  The course will spend considerable time discussing legal and political issues associated with civilians and military uses of space and the overarching legal framework.  There will be ample opportunity for students to engage both individually and within groups on the issues covered.

    Issues paper.  The scope of this topic is large and there will be numerous legal and policy issues encountered through the week.  Students will be required to identify a particular issue that has resonance with them and write a 1200 word paper examining that particular issue and its policy context.  Students may use this short paper to hone arguments that will be used in their long assessment paper or use the opportunity to address a discrete area of interest that may not ultimately feature in their long paper.

    The majority of the course grade will come from a 4000 word Research Essay (long paper).  While students will be free to design any relevant (and approved) topic they would like, selected possible topics will be presented progressively through the course for consideration.  All topics must be approved by the course coordinator, preferably by the last day of the course.
    Assessment Detail
    Students choosing to use this course to satisfy the requirements of the substantial research piece of scholarship for their program must undertake the required disciplinary research and produce a 7,000 - 8,000 word essay which will be assessed against publication standards.  This essay will replace the abovementioned research essay.
    Submission

    No information currently available.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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