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Unit of study_
LAWS6165: Biodiversity Law and Heritage Law
2025 unit information
Biological diversity is the variability among living organisms and the ecological complexes of which they are part, including diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems. Aside from whatever intrinsic value it may possess, biodiversity is crucial to support human life and welfare. Australia is fortunate to have some of the world's most complex and unique biodiversity unfortunately, also to have one of the highest rates of extinction and loss of biodiversity. Despite a sophisticated system of environmental governance and a relatively high degree of environmental awareness, biodiversity continues to decline rapidly in Australia. This unit considers the international legal regime related to the protection of biodiversity; how international instruments are incorporated into (or otherwise affect) Australia's regime; and the operation of Australia's regime at both national and state levels (particularly in NSW) - and consideration of various threats to biodiversity, different protection options, and how biodiversity-related considerations affect and are affected by other Environmental Law fields. National heritage is one of nine matters of national environmental significance protected under Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. This unit covers conservation of natural and cultural heritage, including intangible, underwater, movable and Australian Aboriginal heritage. International, national, state and local regimes for heritage conservation are examined and considered in the context of broader biodiversity-related environmental decision making. Further information about this unit is available in the Sydney Law School timetable https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/4533/pages/postgraduate-lecture-timetable, unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units and academic staff profile https://www.sydney.edu.au/law/about/our-people/academic-staff.html
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Sydney Law School
| Study level | Postgraduate |
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| Academic unit | Law |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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LAWS6055 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Demonstrate (through critical research assessment) understanding of BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY and its value; and understanding of HERITAGE and its value; and understanding of the relationship between BIODIVERSITY and HERITAGE.
- LO2. Demonstrate (through critical research assessment) knowledge of global and Australian concerns over declining biodiversity and threats to heritage.
- LO3. Demonstrate (through critical research assessment) knowledge of specific biodiversity- and heritage-related problems; and the ability to assess possible legal solutions to these problems.
- LO4. Demonstrate (through critical research assessment) understanding of international law related to the management and protection of biodiversity; and international law related to the management and protection of heritage.
- LO5. Demonstrate (through critical research assessment) understanding of how international law is incorporated into Australian law - both generally; and specifically in the case of biodiversity- and heritage-related instruments.
- LO6. Demonstrate (through critical research assessment) understanding of the national legal position in respect of management of and protection of biodiversity and heritage in Australia generally.
- LO7. Demonstrate (through critical research assessment) understanding of the legal position in respect of management of and protection of biodiversity and heritage in New South Wales specifically.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 2a 2025
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Block mode | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
