Antarctic Governance and Policy in the 21st Century
PostgraduateTAS-KSM7152026
Course information for 2026 intake
Enrol today with instant approval and no entry requirements
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 15 Feb 2026
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed, No prior study
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Start dates
- 23 Feb 2026
- Price from
- $2,249
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Antarctic Governance and Policy in the 21st Century
About this subject
On successful completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- Analyse the Antarctic Treaty System from historical, legal, geopolitical and scientific perspectives.
- Analyse the intersections between the Antarctic Treaty System and other governance institutions in the area to further policy choices.
- Appraise the effectiveness of Antarctic governance institutions to inform policy debate and choice.
- Critically assess the key challenges for Antarctic governance in the early 21st century.
- Antarctic Governance: Treaty History and Sovereignty Claims
- Antarctic Treaty 1959
- Antarctic Marine Living Resources: CCAS and the CAMLR Convention
- Mining and the CRAMRA National Law in Antarctica
- The Environmental Protocol 1991 and Committee on Environmental Protection
- ASMA’s, ASPA’s and Heritage Protection
- Antarctic Institutions
- Climate Change and Critical Perspectives on Antarctic Governance
Antarctica and the Southern Ocean are a unique biophysical region of the planet and similarly have unique governance arrangements. This subject provides an advanced analysis of the institutions, rules and power structures which govern the Antarctic region. The subject closely examines the Antarctic Treaty System, but also other important institutions that play a governance role in the region, including the International Whaling Commission and International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators. Drawing on theories of law, governance and geopolitics, this subject explores the following thematic challenges relating to human activity in the Antarctic region: Antarctic Resources, Antarctic Science, Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics, Strategic issues in Antarctica, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change.
The subject explores the interactions between nation states, non-state actors and international organisations and the intersection of interests, rights and rules in the development of Antarctic governance institutions. Completing the subject will equip students from a wide variety of academic disciplines with the ability to view governance of Antarctica from a more holistic perspective. This will assist students to understand and critically assess the basis for international policy decisions relating to Antarctic and the Southern Ocean, a region of key national interest for Australia, and of vital importance for global ecosystems and the international political system.
- Multiple Choice Test (20%)
- Group Report: Drafting and Presenting an Antarctic Policy Document (40%)
- Critical Analysis of Antarctic Literature (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Equivalent subjects
You won't be able to enrol into this subject if you've already successfully completed or currently enrolled in the following subject(s) as they are considered anti-requisites due to the similarity of the content.
Additional requirements
- Other requirements - Teaching Arrangement: Weekly 2 hour online lectures. These lectures will be delivered in common with the undergraduate cohort in KSA201 Governing Antarctica. Students are also required to attend a weekly Masters level seminar, delivered to online students through Zoom Conferencing at the same time as to the on-campus students.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
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