Welcome to the fascinating course on Polar Science, Arctic Governance, Policy, and Law!In this comprehensive course, we embark on an illuminating journey through the Arctic and Antarctic, where the intricate interplay of science, governance, and policy unfolds with a profound environmental significance. Our exploration begins with a foundational understanding of the Polar Regions, decoding their mysteries and delving into the basic concepts of polar science, governance, and law.Subsequently, the course traverses the vast expanse of polar and ocean sciences, unraveling the role of satellite oceanography, scientific information systems, and the complexities of ocean governance.As we focus more on the Arctic, we uncover its rich history of exploration, environmental concerns, and the unique challenges faced by indigenous populations amidst rapid industrialization and shipping activities.The legal and political dimensions of Arctic governance come into sharp focus as we analyze international laws, treaties, and the competing interests of nations and stakeholders in shaping Arctic policies.Moving to the Antarctic, we explore its pristine wilderness, the historical context of exploration, and the delicate balance between conservation and commercial interests in this unique governance model. Against the backdrop of a rapidly changing climate, we delve into the science of climate change, its profound impacts on the cryosphere, and the evolving political and legal responses at both international and national levels. Through insightful case studies and rigorous analysis, we confront the global challenges facing polar regions, from competing territorial claims to the urgent need for environmental conservation and sustainable resource management.Finally, we examine India's burgeoning role in polar affairs, from its interests in the Arctic to its contributions to conservation efforts in the Antarctic and the vital region known as the Third Pole.With a wealth of scholarly resources at our disposal, this course promises to be a captivating exploration of the critical issues shaping the future of polar science, governance, policy, and law.
Overview
Syllabus
Pre-requisite for the course: The course is multidisciplinary and open to students of both UG and PG. It has four credits.
Course type: Elective.
Estimated workload every week:
Total assignments allotted for the course:
Week wise schedule:WeekDayI - IntroductionI1Module 1: Decoding the Polar Regions2Module 2: Exploring Polar Science: Basic concepts and Terms3Module 3: Understanding Polar Governance: Basic Concepts and Terms4Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week I5Online quiz on the topics covered in Week III - Polar and Ocean SciencesII1Module 4: Functionality of Science and Satellite Oceanography in the Polar Region2Module 5: Scientific Information System for Polar and Oceans3Module 6: Ocean Governance: Overview4Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week II5Online quiz on the topics covered in Week IIIII - Oceans and Global GovernanceIII1Module 7: Marine Diversity, Ocean Literacy and Blue Economy2Module 8: UNCLOS, Ocean Governance, Current status3Module 9: Seabed Mining and the Authority, sea bed mineral resources, Extended Continental Shelf4Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week III5Online quiz on the topics covered in Week IIIIV - Arctic ScienceIV1Module 10: Arctic Expeditions, History, Explorations and Findings2Module 11: Arctic Environment, Biodiversity and Conservation3Assignment on the topic covered in week IV4Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week IV5Online quiz on the topics covered in Week IVV - Life in the ArcticV1Module 12: Arctic Shipping, Fishing and Industry2Module 13: Indigenous Populations3Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week V4Online quiz on the topics covered in Week V5Assignment on the topic covered in Week VVI - Arctic Governance- InternationalVI1Module 14: Law of Sea and the Arctic2Module 15: International Law relating to the Polar region3Module 16: International agencies and the Status of Observers in the Arctic4Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week VI5Online quiz on the topics covered in Week VIVII - Arctic - National Laws and GovernanceVII1Module 17: Nations, Institutions and Agencies for Arctic Governance2Module 18: Arctic: Russia, Canada and USA3Module 19: Interest of EU, European Nations and Arctic Governance4Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week VII5Online quiz on the topics covered in Week VIIVIII - Antarctica - A Basic UnderstandingVIII1Module 20: History of Exploration and Resources in Antarctica2Module 21: Antarctic Environment, Biodiversity and Conservation3Module 22: Antarctic: Fishing and Commercial Interests4Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week VIII5Online quiz on the topics covered in Week VIIIIX - Antarctica - Governance and ChallegesIX1Module 23: Conflicts and International Relations in the Antarctic2Module 24: Legal and Instrumental mechanisms governing the Antarctic3Module 25: Global Commons4Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week IX5Online quiz on the topics covered in Week IXX - Climate Change ScienceX1Module 26: Climate Change, the Cryosphere and System Changes2Module 27: Climate Change in Polar Regions and Oceans: Issues and Challenges3Module 28: Climate Change and Energy Politics4Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week X5Online quiz on the topics covered in Week XXI - Climate Change - Politics and GovernanceXI1Module 29: Climate Change Politics, Law and Policy in Western World2Module 30: Climate Change: Third World Approaches and Challenges3Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week XI4Online quiz on the topics covered in Week XI5Assignment on the topic covered in Week XIXII - Law on Climate ChangeXII1Module 31: Climate Change – International Law, Policies and Politics2Module 32: National Actions and Responses to Climate Change in Polar Regions3Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week XII4Online quiz on the topics covered in Week XII5Assignment on the topic covered in Week XIIXIII - Global Challenges and Polar RegionsXIII1Module 33: International Claims and Cooperation2Module 34: Future of Polar Sciences, Explorations and Tourism3Module 35: Conflicts and Environmental Impact Assessment: Case Studies4Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week XIII5Online quiz on the topics covered in Week XIIIXIV - Third PoleXIV1Module 36: Third Pole Environment: Importance and Significance2Module 37: Protection of Third Pole3Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week XIV4Online quiz on the topics covered in Week XIV5Assignment on the topic covered in Week XIVXV - Indian Policy and Polar RegionXV1Module 38: India and the Arctic2Module 39: India and the Antarctic3Module 40: India's involvement in the Third Pole, Sustainability, and Beyond4Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week XV5Online quiz on the topics covered in Week XV
Course type: Elective.
Estimated workload every week:
- 10 – 12 hours.
- Listening to the video lectures
- Reading Module contents
- Taking the Internal Assessment Quiz
- Reading related reference materials
- Taking part in group discussions on the SWAYAM Platform.
Total assignments allotted for the course:
- The student shall submit a total of 5 assignments (Graded) on the given topic in the 5 allotted weeks and the best 2 out of 5 will be graded for 20 marks.
- Additionally, there will be a quiz each week for 15 weeks, and the best 10out of 15quizzeswill be count for 10 marks.
Week wise schedule:WeekDayI - IntroductionI1Module 1: Decoding the Polar Regions2Module 2: Exploring Polar Science: Basic concepts and Terms3Module 3: Understanding Polar Governance: Basic Concepts and Terms4Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week I5Online quiz on the topics covered in Week III - Polar and Ocean SciencesII1Module 4: Functionality of Science and Satellite Oceanography in the Polar Region2Module 5: Scientific Information System for Polar and Oceans3Module 6: Ocean Governance: Overview4Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week II5Online quiz on the topics covered in Week IIIII - Oceans and Global GovernanceIII1Module 7: Marine Diversity, Ocean Literacy and Blue Economy2Module 8: UNCLOS, Ocean Governance, Current status3Module 9: Seabed Mining and the Authority, sea bed mineral resources, Extended Continental Shelf4Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week III5Online quiz on the topics covered in Week IIIIV - Arctic ScienceIV1Module 10: Arctic Expeditions, History, Explorations and Findings2Module 11: Arctic Environment, Biodiversity and Conservation3Assignment on the topic covered in week IV4Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week IV5Online quiz on the topics covered in Week IVV - Life in the ArcticV1Module 12: Arctic Shipping, Fishing and Industry2Module 13: Indigenous Populations3Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week V4Online quiz on the topics covered in Week V5Assignment on the topic covered in Week VVI - Arctic Governance- InternationalVI1Module 14: Law of Sea and the Arctic2Module 15: International Law relating to the Polar region3Module 16: International agencies and the Status of Observers in the Arctic4Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week VI5Online quiz on the topics covered in Week VIVII - Arctic - National Laws and GovernanceVII1Module 17: Nations, Institutions and Agencies for Arctic Governance2Module 18: Arctic: Russia, Canada and USA3Module 19: Interest of EU, European Nations and Arctic Governance4Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week VII5Online quiz on the topics covered in Week VIIVIII - Antarctica - A Basic UnderstandingVIII1Module 20: History of Exploration and Resources in Antarctica2Module 21: Antarctic Environment, Biodiversity and Conservation3Module 22: Antarctic: Fishing and Commercial Interests4Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week VIII5Online quiz on the topics covered in Week VIIIIX - Antarctica - Governance and ChallegesIX1Module 23: Conflicts and International Relations in the Antarctic2Module 24: Legal and Instrumental mechanisms governing the Antarctic3Module 25: Global Commons4Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week IX5Online quiz on the topics covered in Week IXX - Climate Change ScienceX1Module 26: Climate Change, the Cryosphere and System Changes2Module 27: Climate Change in Polar Regions and Oceans: Issues and Challenges3Module 28: Climate Change and Energy Politics4Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week X5Online quiz on the topics covered in Week XXI - Climate Change - Politics and GovernanceXI1Module 29: Climate Change Politics, Law and Policy in Western World2Module 30: Climate Change: Third World Approaches and Challenges3Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week XI4Online quiz on the topics covered in Week XI5Assignment on the topic covered in Week XIXII - Law on Climate ChangeXII1Module 31: Climate Change – International Law, Policies and Politics2Module 32: National Actions and Responses to Climate Change in Polar Regions3Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week XII4Online quiz on the topics covered in Week XII5Assignment on the topic covered in Week XIIXIII - Global Challenges and Polar RegionsXIII1Module 33: International Claims and Cooperation2Module 34: Future of Polar Sciences, Explorations and Tourism3Module 35: Conflicts and Environmental Impact Assessment: Case Studies4Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week XIII5Online quiz on the topics covered in Week XIIIXIV - Third PoleXIV1Module 36: Third Pole Environment: Importance and Significance2Module 37: Protection of Third Pole3Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week XIV4Online quiz on the topics covered in Week XIV5Assignment on the topic covered in Week XIVXV - Indian Policy and Polar RegionXV1Module 38: India and the Arctic2Module 39: India and the Antarctic3Module 40: India's involvement in the Third Pole, Sustainability, and Beyond4Interactive discussion on the topics covered in Week XV5Online quiz on the topics covered in Week XV
Taught by
Dr. P Sakthivel, Associate Professor & Director
