The seminar examines legal and policy issues related to the intersection of climate change and human rights, with a particular focus on socio-economic rights in the developing world.

Recent changes in the international legal framework governing human rights, and socio-economic rights in particular, will soon provide an enforcement mechanism for what have long been aspirational rights. As economic, social, and cultural rights are more often adjudicated in coming years, many States’ abilities to meet their commitments will be undermined by effects of a changing climate, which will likely be he most severe in developing countries already pressed to meet socio-economic rights challenges. The course will discuss these developments specifically and the intersection of climate change and human rights more generally, using relevant legal cases and doctrines as well as policy challenges relating to advancing human rights in the face of global climate change.

The final project will consist of drafting a portion of a legal or policy-based white paper of the type typically drafted in a government of NGO setting. Each student will be responsible for approximately five pages of the paper. The seminar will meet seven times in the middle of the semester and all work will be completed substantially before the exam period.

Additional Information:
Credit Hours: 1
Grading Option: Numeric Grade and ONE-Time Pass Option is Available, or Letter Grade Only
Written Assignment: Yes, see course description
Graduation Writing Requirement: No
Flexible/Upper-Level Writing Requirement: No
Skills Requirement: No
Simulation Course: No
Experiential Learning: No
Seminar: No
Special Withdrawal Course: No
Final Exam Given: No
Mid Term Or Other Exam: No
Attendance Policy: Per Statement Of Student Policies

* The law school has a policy that is used to calculate credit hours. Please see the Statement of Student Policies.