Principles of WTO Law

Subject 730-826 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008. Search for this in the current handbook Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 1, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 24 - 26 contact hours per subject.
Total Time Commitment: The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidate's background and experience.
Prerequisites: N.A.
Corequisites: N.A.
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: N.A.

Coordinator

Mr Jurgen Kurtz
Subject Overview:

Objectives:

This is the foundational subject covering the law of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It provides a comprehensive introduction and analysis of the fundamental principles and jurisprudence of WTO law. This subject also acts as a useful preparatory subject for specialist WTO-related subjects.

A candidate who has successfully completed this subject should:

  • Have a thorough understanding of the history and evolution of the WTO
  • Have the capacity to assess the economic and theoretical bases for addressing different forms of trade barriers, including tariffs, subsidies and various forms of domestic regulation
  • Have a thorough understanding of the rights and obligations in each of the major areas of WTO law, including trade in goods, services trade and intellectual property protection
  • Be familiar with the WTOs dispute-settlement procedures and be able to critically evaluate major cases in WTO law, including the Tuna-Dolphin and Shrimp-Turtle decisions
  • Be able to evaluate the extent to which the WTO has been successful in managing the interface between liberal trade policy and other societal values, especially environmental, health and safety concerns.

Syllabus:

Principal topics will include:

  • History and evolution of the WTO
  • Foundational tenets of non-discrimination: MFN and national treatment
  • Environmental and other exceptions to WTO commitments: GATT Article XX
  • Trade remedies: Anti-dumping, countervailing duties and safeguards
  • Trade in services and the GATS
  • Intellectual property and the TRIPS
  • The fair trade debate: Environmental and labour standards in the WTO
  • The non-WTO issue of foreign investment
  • Developmental implications of bilateralism and regionalism as competitors to the multilateral trading system
  • The future of the WTO and the Doha Development Round of negotiations.
Assessment:
  • Research paper 10,000 words (100%) (25 September) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
Prescribed Texts: Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.
Links to further information: 730-826Principles of WTO LawMelbourne Law Masters, postgraduate law, post-graduate law, graduate law2008

Objectives:

This is the foundational subject covering the law of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It provides a comprehensive introduction and analysis of the fundamental principles and jurisprudence of WTO law. This subject also acts as a useful preparatory subject for specialist WTO-related subjects.

A candidate who has successfully completed this subject should:

  • Have a thorough understanding of the history and evolution of the WTO
  • Have the capacity to assess the economic and theoretical bases for addressing different forms of trade barriers, including tariffs, subsidies and various forms of domestic regulation
  • Have a thorough understanding of the rights and obligations in each of the major areas of WTO law, including trade in goods, services trade and intellectual property protection
  • Be familiar with the WTOs dispute-settlement procedures and be able to critically evaluate major cases in WTO law, including the Tuna-Dolphin and Shrimp-Turtle decisions
  • Be able to evaluate the extent to which the WTO has been successful in managing the interface between liberal trade policy and other societal values, especially environmental, health and safety concerns.

Syllabus:

Principal topics will include:

  • History and evolution of the WTO
  • Foundational tenets of non-discrimination: MFN and national treatment
  • Environmental and other exceptions to WTO commitments: GATT Article XX
  • Trade remedies: Anti-dumping, countervailing duties and safeguards
  • Trade in services and the GATS
  • Intellectual property and the TRIPS
  • The fair trade debate: Environmental and labour standards in the WTO
  • The non-WTO issue of foreign investment
  • Developmental implications of bilateralism and regionalism as competitors to the multilateral trading system
  • The future of the WTO and the Doha Development Round of negotiations.
  • Research paper 10,000 words (100%) (25 September) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
N.A.N.A.24 - 26 contact hours per subject.Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidate's background and experience.N.A.Please see the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website for up to date timetable information.Mr Jurgen KurtzLawFor the latest information on this subject, please visit: http://www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au/subject/730826P12.500Semester 1NLawLaw730-826

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