Syllabus
Master of Science in Climate Change Leadership
CCL 655: Coastal & Marine Policy – Fall A 2026
Credits - 3
Description
This course will explore the essential principles of coastal and marine management. By studying how the United States has managed human access to marine resources and spaces over time, students will become adept at defining core concepts of effective ocean governance, and applying these concepts to current ocean management issues. We will explore the legislative, policy and scientific bases of ocean governance systems, identify best management practices, and analyze how current policies can address increasing human demands for marine resources in a climate-changed world. Students will apply coastal and marine policy constructs to current U.S. and international issues, such as fishery management, marine pollution, marine protected areas and endangered species protection.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Define the key components of ocean governance in the United States and internationally.
- Analyze how ocean government regimes have evolved over time in response to political, technological, and socio-cultural factors.
- Identify key principles of ocean governance derived from legal, policy, scientific, economic, and socio-cultural sources.
- Demonstrate result-oriented communication and leadership practices by defining and applying ocean governance principles to current ocean management topics.
- Describe the limitations of current ocean governance regimes and identify how future ocean governance can be improved.
Assignments
Discussions
Students will respond to a discussion prompt and will interact with peers by providing feedback to their discussion responses.
Quizzes
There will be 4 graded quizzes in this course. The quizzes will assess your understanding of the lectures and selected readings.
Annotated Bibliographies
In Weeks 1–4, you will develop an annotated bibliography that builds progressively throughout the course. Each week, you will add new resources focused on a specific topic, expanding your understanding and creating a collection of research that you can draw on for later assignments. Your annotated bibliography will serve as a foundation for the two case studies and the final presentation and position paper, helping you explore key sources in depth and apply them to your analysis. Throughout the process, you will work with materials curated specifically for this course while also developing your ability to identify, evaluate, and use credible sources.
Papers
The course includes a major paper designed to develop your ability to analyze ocean governance from a historical perspective. In the Major Development in the History of Ocean Governance Paper, you will examine a significant development in ocean governance from its origins through the year 2025 and make a persuasive argument about its lasting influence on how oceans have been governed. This assignment asks you to connect historical developments to broader questions about how and why ocean governance evolves.
Case Studies
The course includes two Real-World Case Study assignments that give you the opportunity to apply ocean governance concepts to contemporary issues and actual management challenges. In each case study, you will select a real-world U.S. or international case related to the topics covered in the course and examine the issue, the policies or strategies used to address it, and the effectiveness of those approaches. Drawing on course materials, your annotated bibliography, and additional credible research, you will move beyond simply describing the case to analyze what it reveals about the challenges and possibilities of effective ocean governance. Together, the two case studies will help you connect course concepts to real-world management decisions and consider the implications of different approaches for the future.
Final Presentation and Position Paper
In Week 7, you will bring your research together in a final presentation and position paper focused on an urgent ocean governance issue of your choice. You will take a clear position, develop a specific and feasible policy recommendation, and make an evidence-based case for action to a relevant decision-making audience. Drawing on your annotated bibliography and additional research, you will consider stakeholders, competing interests, tradeoffs, and implementation challenges as you explain what should be done—and why decision-makers should support your proposed solution.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Category | Weight |
|---|---|
| Discussions (8 total) | 15% |
| Quizzes (4 total) | 15% |
| Annotated Bibliography (Draft and Final) | 15% |
| Paper | 10% |
| Case Studies (2 total) | 20% |
| Final Project | 25% |
Schedule
Course Dates
Course Start and End Dates: September 2, 2026 – October 18, 2026
Week 1: Wednesday – Sunday
Week 2: Monday – Sunday
Week 3: Monday – Sunday
Week 4: Monday – Sunday
Week 5: Monday – Sunday
Week 6: Monday – Sunday
Week 7: Monday – Sunday
Weekly Schedule
| Week | Topic | Assignments | Due Dates |
| 1 | Foundations of U.S. Ocean Governance |
|
Discussion Initial Post Due by Friday 11:59 PM ET, Response Posts Due by Sunday 11:59 PM ET |
| 2 | The Evolution of U.S. Ocean Policy |
|
Discussion Initial Post Due by Friday 11:59 PM ET, Response Posts Due by Sunday 11:59 PM ET Assignment and Quiz Due by Sunday 11:59 PM ET |
| 3 | Modern U.S. Ocean Policy |
|
Discussion Initial Post Due by Friday 11:59 PM ET, Response Posts Due by Sunday 11:59 PM ET Assignment and Quiz Due by Sunday 11:59 PM ET |
| 4 | International Ocean Governance |
|
Discussion Initial Post Due by Friday 11:59 PM ET, Response Posts Due by Sunday 11:59 PM ET Assignment Due by Sunday 11:59 PM ET |
| 5 | Applying Ocean Governance |
|
Discussion Initial Post Due by Friday 11:59 PM ET, Response Posts Due by Sunday 11:59 PM ET Assignments and Quiz Due by Sunday 11:59 PM ET |
| 6 | Addressing Complex Ocean Challenges |
|
Discussion Initial Post Due by Friday 11:59 PM ET, Response Posts Due by Sunday 11:59 PM ET Assignment Due by Sunday 11:59 PM ET |
| 7 | Reforming Ocean Governance |
|
Discussion Initial Post Due by Friday 11:59 PM ET, Response Posts Due by Sunday 11:59 PM ET Assignments Due by Sunday 11:59 PM ET |
Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
UNE Library
Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
- Business & Entrepreneurship Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/business-administration/
- Environment & Sustainability Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/environmental-sciences-studies/
- Marine Sciences Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/marine-sciences/
- Public Health Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/public-health/
Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
UNE Student Academic Success Center
UNE's Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of free online services to support your academic achievement. Writing support, ESOL support, study strategy and learning style consultations, as well as downloadable resources, are available to all matriculating students. To make an appointment for any of these services, go to une.tutortrac.com. For more information and to view and download writing and studying resources, please visit: UNE Student Academic Success Center
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their student success team member and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week
Phone: Mon-Fri: (207) 602-2487
After Hours/Weekends: 1-877-518-4673
Accommodations
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Career Ready Program
The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!
The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.
Policies
Passing Grade Statement
A grade of 80% or higher is required to pass the course. A grade lower than 80% will result in you having to repeat the course. Obtaining two "Fs" in the program will result in dismissal from the program.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Statement
Learning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) responsibly and ethically is an important skill in today’s society. AI is not a substitute for developing and enhancing skills in creativity, logic, critical thinking, analysis, evaluation, theorization, and writing essential to a public health professional. If you choose to use AI tools, such as ChatGPT and DALL-E2, they must be used wisely and intelligently to deepen your understanding of a subject matter and support learning. You are not allowed to use AI tools to generate your work. Content produced using AI tools cannot be used as a substitute for your original work.
Students in the Climate Change Leadership Program must take ultimate responsibility for the accuracy of AI-generated content used in any work. You are expected to think critically about the results and alignment with the questions or tasks in the assignment and never substitute AI-generated results for professional human judgment and logic. Students are also expected to understand that the information generated is not always accurate and, in some cases, propagates discrimination and bias. You must stay abreast of AI best practices, and the changing risks and benefits, and monitor AI for biases and risks for vulnerable populations and underrepresented groups.
Within the Program, using AI-generated content in academic work falls under our academic integrity policies. All instructors will continue to use our AI detection software for each assignment submitted so it will be flagged.
Using any AI tool in your work must be acknowledged in-text every time it is used, not in your list of references. You will include a summary of what the AI tool was used to do, followed by the AI tool brand name, version/extension #, manufacturer/owner, and date used in parentheses.
For example,
Themes from participant responses were identified using a chatbot session (ChatGPT, model GPT-4, OpenAI, May 17, 2025).
Failure to acknowledge the inclusion of AI-generated content in any work submitted violates our academic integrity policies and will be considered an infraction with the associated penalties for plagiarism as outlined in the Student Handbook.
The Student Orientation has a module "Artificial Intelligence Literacy for Students", please refer to this module for more information about navigating the use of AI.
Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool
The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.
Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in proper citation and academic writing.
You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements
Course Evaluation Policy
Course surveys are one of the most important tools that University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.
Late Policy
Students are responsible for submitting work by the date indicated in Brightspace.
Quizzes and Tests: Quizzes and tests must be completed by the due date. They will not be accepted after the due date.
Assignments: Unless otherwise specified, assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.
Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.
Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your Enrollment and Retention Counselor if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. Tuition charges may still apply. Students are strongly urged to consult with Student Financial Services, as course withdrawals may affect financial aid or Veterans benefits.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit https://www.une.edu/studentlife/plagiarism.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.
Attendance Policy
6- to 8-week courses: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
10+ -week courses: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your Enrollment and Retention Counselor if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. Tuition charges may still apply. Students are strongly urged to consult with Student Financial Services, as course withdrawals may affect financial aid or Veterans benefits.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.