Title: Law of the sea/ Don't rock the boat300

National and state standards: National #13, State 15.10.6
Teaching level: High
Objective/purpose: the student will:
be able to explain the reasons for conflict over the control of the oceans
be able to interpret an official document with accuracy

Materials: A copy of the 1982 United Nation's Sea law convention (Can be found at web site [http://www.unsystem.org/index7.html]
Procedures:
1.Pass out Ronald Reagan's December 27, 1988 proclamation regarding territorial waters of the U.S and have the students read it aloud or to themselves.
Have a discussion on the content of the document.
Come to a class consensus on what exactly does this mean. Write it on the board or on an overhead.
Hand out the question sheet and have the students answer the questions individually.
Come back together to again discuss whether or not you are still in agreement in regards to the document
If available show the students excepts from the actual law including the definition of territorial sea (see attached)
Evaluation/assessment: Give students another excerpt from the sea law convention and have them come up with the possible pitfalls involved. Ask them to try to alleviate some of the loopholes.
Reflection: How successful was this lesson? Did all students benefit? Were there any surprises? What might you do differently another time? Please note any changes that will make this lesson more effective and useful in the future and pass them along to the NHGA. We appreciate your comments.
Thank you.
The authors.

Attachment A

"The territorial sea of the United States henceforth extends to 12 nautical miles from the baselines of the United States determined in accordance with international law. In accordance with international law as reflected in the applicable provisions of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the law of the sea, within the territorial sea of the United States the ships of all countries enjoy the right of innocent passage and the ships and aircraft of all countries enjoy the right of transit through international straits."

Ronald Reagan
December 27, 1988

Attachment 2

1.What is a territorial sea?

2.What constitutes a ship?

3.If a ship is carrying nuclear weapons but is just going through the gulf of Mexico to Mexico is that O.K.?

Is the Saint Lawrence Seaway an international strait? Why or Why not?

5. If we do not have diplomatic relations with a country will we allow one of their warships to cruise through Chesapeake bay?

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Original file name: 300rtf - converted on Tuesday, 20 October 1998, 20:56