View Specification DocumentWater Rights and Global Challenges LAW4182
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Law
- Credits: 20
- Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
- Typically Offered: Semester 2
- Available to Visiting Students: Yes
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
This course will cover major themes of current water law and governance. This will include: i) the definition of water rights including customary rights to water; ii) overview of the debates of what type of property regime is, or should be, applicable to water; iii) consideration of how water rights relate to the human right to water; and iv) discussion of how water rights should be reformed in the context of sustainability. This course will include case studies from relevant jurisdictions which highlight the main themes which have been raised.
Timetable
10 x 2 hours seminars per week.
Requirements of Entry
This course is only available to LLB students.
Excluded Courses
None
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
2,000 words, 30% essay which is both summative and formative.
2 hour exam, 70% exam.
Main Assessment In: April/May
Course Aims
This course aims to give students an overview of the major themes of current water law and governance in the context of the global challenges facing water use and availability. The course will use case studies from particular jurisdictions in order to allow students to consider the themes of the course within specific situations.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
1. Explain the difference between various rights to, and in relation to, water;
2. Outline the debates regarding the most appropriate property regime for water;
3. Locate debates about water rights within the context of global issues;
4. Critically analyse issues relating to water rights within a global context;
5. Provide specific examples from case studies and draw on them to construct clear and coherent arguments about water rights issues.