LAW37590 International Economic Law

Academic Year 2020/2021

Whilst Public International Law governs the legal relationships between sovereign states, International Economic Law is that area of Public International Law dealing with the trading relationships between states. The scope of this area covers not only international trade law but also international investment law; this module will concentrate on the former through an analysis of the law developed within the World Trade Organisation. After the introductory lecture, this module examines the fundamental principles of the trading regime (the most-favoured-nation and the equal treatment principles), and the policy space given to WTO Members through an examination of the exceptions to these principles and the dispute settlement system in the WTO. After these lectures which cover the fist seven weeks of the module, students will choose a topic for their second piece of coursework and lectures will be offered on each of these topics; topics may include animal welfare in the WTO, climate change and trade and trade wars.

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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 international economic law,
- the fundamental principles of the international trading system established under WTO rules, and
- the scope of the issues relating to the policy space allowed to Members of the WTO.

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 conduct legal research, especially using international legal materials and
- the ability to present a coherent written legal argument.

Students will be expected to demonstrate these learning outcomes through an MCQ and the completion of a short research project on one of three designated topics.

Indicative Module Content:

Introduction to the history of international economic law since 1945
The WTO Dispute Settlement System
The fundamental principles of the GATT - Articles I and III
The exceptions to the fundamental principles - Articles XX, XXI and XXIV GATT
The treatment of developing countries in the WTO

Among the topics available for the second piece of coursework are:
- Animal Welfare in the WTO
- Climate Change and Trade
- Trade Wars

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

12

Autonomous Student Learning

113

Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The first part of the module involves the delivery of a series of lectures. Weeks 8-12 are devoted to discussion of the topics to be assessed in the second piece of coursework. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: A 2000 word research project Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

50

Assignment: Essay on topics in weeks 1-6 Week 8 n/a Graded No

50


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
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
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be provided on the first coursework assignment. With respect to the second piece of coursework, students will be afforded the opportunity to attend workshops in which the topics will be discussed and/or may arrange an individual meeting during student consultation hours. Students will be afforded the opportunity to submit a draft outline of the second piece of coursework prior to submission. Feedback will also be issued at the end of the module in the form of group feedback on each of the topics for the second piece of coursework.