Environmental features of Antarctica
Location, size, and environmental features of Antarctica. Environmental features might relate to Antarctica’s unique qualities – e.g., position, climate, terrain, and ecosystem (including species – both land and marine based). 
Resource qualities of Antarctica
Information about the types of resources that humans have extracted, or could extract, from Antarctica.
Reasons why Antarctica’s environment needs protection.
Identify some reasons why the Antarctic environment needs to be protected. This might relate to its unique landscape and ecosystems; animal species that live there; the marine environment; the role played by the Antarctic in cooling the oceans and earth etc.
Historical status and claims to Antarctica
Some information about the historical status and current claims to Antarctica (prior to the Treaty System). How many countries have bases there?
The origins of the Antarctic Treaty System
Information about how the treaty system came about.
Parties to the original treaty and main purposes/principals/aims of the treaty.
What does the Antarctic Treaty refer to? How many parties to the 1959 treaty were there originally, and how many now. Is membership closed? Is Australia a party? How was sovereignty and jurisdiction dealt with in the treaty?
Did the 1959 Antarctic Treaty actually cover environmental protection? If not, how was environmental protection eventually achieved? 
So, what does the ‘Antarctic Treaty System’ encompass? Is it more than just the original treaty? (Refer below and in materials to help you here).
What are the fundamental purposes/principles/aims of the treaty system? You do not need to go overboard here – just some of the main ones will do.
Can any country join the 1959 treaty and set up a base in Antarctica?
What human activities are permitted and what are banned in Antarctica under the treaty system, and why?
For example, is mining allowed? Scientific research? What about the killing of seals, birds, or whales? Is fishing in Antarctic waters permitted? What other activities might be regulated? Explain why regulation of activities is required in Antarctica.
What role do inspections of other countries’ bases play in Antarctica?
How is the treaty system administered? 
How do the parties to the treaty reach agreement on issues? Is it by consensus or majority voting? What is the name of the body that administers the treaty (that forum that makes decisions on issues)? Is the treaty up for review?
Is there a dispute resolution system under the treaty system? If so, how does it work? Can parties seek any redress in international courts if disputes cannot be resolved (e.g., the International Court of Justice)?
Explain the need for and role played by the ‘Madrid Protocol’ in protecting the Antarctic environment?
Refer to the material on GC etc. The ‘Madrid Protocol’s’ proper title is the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (1991).
What other international treaties may impact environmental issues in Antarctica?
How does the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling affect issues in the Antarctica (does it permit whaling in Antarctic waters?). What about the UN Law of the Sea Convention? Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources? Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals?
How has Australia incorporated its international obligations regarding Antarctica into domestic legislation?
Refer to GC material etc. Name some legislation and its overall purpose.
How effective has the Antarctic Treaty System been in protecting the unique Antarctic environment?
Evaluate – use judgements based on information you have learnt. What limitations are there to the effectiveness of this legal response? Identify any threats to the treaty system. What are its strengths? 
Overall, does the Antarctic Treaty System help protect the Antarctic environment?