International Wildlife Law (951-S1)

Professor Erica J. Thorson, International Environmental Law Project
Two-Week Intensive: June 22 - July 5, 2010
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
2 credit hours
OVERVIEW OF 2010 COURSE

This course focuses upon legislation and caselaw from several jurisdictions, including: Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Israel, Austria, Germany, Hong Kong and China.  This course should provide insight for those involved in developing legislation and arguing for refrom on animal welfare issues in any country.

International Wildlife Law examines the connection between international environmental law and animal law. This class will explore the nature of balancing competing interests in international fora, focusing on the worthiness of “sustainable use” as the compromise that hinges together the goals of wildlife conservation and enhancement of human welfare. Students will leave this class with a greater understanding and appreciation for the complexity of international lawmaking, specifically in the wildlife context, and with a greater sense of awareness of the negotiations that give rise to the balancing acts and compromises that make up international wildlife law. By the end of this course, students will have a set of tools to critically examine the utility of the compromises the international community has struck and to think creatively about ways to improve the international management of wildlife so that it serves reasonably and justly the interests of both the animals and the humans who depend on them.