LAW30730 Public International Law

Academic Year 2020/2021

Traditionally, public international law was said to concern the legal relations between sovereign equal states. If that description was ever really accurate or adequate, today it is certainly a view of international law under strain. The growing and increasingly complex web of treaty rules establishing regimes to regulate virtually every field of human endeavour – from the oceans to global finance and trade – often also establishing ambitious institutional structures with significant normative power and influence, sees modern international law increasingly penetrate the day-to-day functioning of all sovereign states.

The first half of the module seeks to offer an introduction to the nature, sources, subjects and institutional structures of modern international law, discussing foundational principles and doctrines, looking at matters such as the sources, structures and subjects of international law followed by an introduction to jurisdiction and international responsibility. After the Reading Week the focus of the module will be on the use of force in international law and humanitarian intervention and it will conclude with an examination of international law beyond States which will examine the role of International Organisations in contemporary international law and an introduction to Oceans and the Law of the Sea.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module, students should have an enhanced appreciation and understanding of:
- the nature and sources of public international law;
- questions relating to the sovereignty of territory and the state;
- the scope of the issues relating to the use of force in international law; and,
- the evolving role of international organisations in contemporary international law.
On completion of this module, students should also have enhanced the generally transferable skills and specific skills already developed throughout their degree programmes. This module aims to enhance the following skills:
- the ability to present a coherent written legal argument; and,
- the ability to conduct legal research, especially using international legal materials.

Students will be expected to demonstrate these learning outcomes through two essays, the first due in the mid-semester reading week, and the second at the end of Week 12.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20

Autonomous Student Learning

125

Online Learning

4

Total

149

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will be delivered on-line through the use of recorded lectures and on specific topics either guided research with a discussion forum or on-line student-led seminar discussions. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
LAW30420 - Public International Law II, LAW30430 - Public International Law I


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: 2000 word essay Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

50

Assignment: 2000 word essay Week 7 n/a Graded No

50


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 1 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be offered through Office Consultation hours prior to the submission of the coursework essay and individualised feedback will be offered once this element has been assessed. Generalised feedback will be offered to all students on student performance in the examination.