AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING SPACE LAW
- Paper number
IAC-15,E1,7,6,x28010
- Author
Prof. Ram S. Jakhu, McGill Univeristy, Canada
- Coauthor
Prof. Steven Freeland, University of Western Sydney, Australia
- Year
2015
- Abstract
Space Law is a highly specialised and technical field of study. It governs outer space and outer space activities (involving millions of dollars of investment), which are carried out with the use of highly complex space technology, in order to meet various human needs (economic, political, strategic, social and cultural) that are inextricably linked to relevant national public policies. Law can be regarded as concretised policy, and provides a basis and rationale for the international and national legal and regulatory framework(s). In order to better comprehend both international space law, as well as the relevant national space laws and regulations, it is therefore imperative to be familiar with space technology, various space applications and their scope and value, fundamental elements of national space policy, and the space law-making process, which dictates how space law has been, and is being ‘made’. Hence, the learning and teaching of Space Law must be undertaken from multidisciplinary (cross-curriculum) perspectives; one must have a basic knowledge of their fundamental technical, economic, political, historical and strategic aspects. In addition, within the legal field, the principles and rules of international law, national law, foreign law, legislative processes, administrative law and other areas are highly relevant. This paper will describe the nature and scope of Space Law, giving specific examples, and will provide the rationale for an innovative and interdisciplinary learning and teaching approach towards appropriately devising and applying future space governance. This approach is particularly important and timely, since there is a growing need for an expansion of Space Law, which is increasingly being challenged by the vast array of space activities and space actors.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)