Law and Development

Subject LAWS70093 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 7 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

June, Parkville - 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: The total class time is between 24 and 26 hours.
Total Time Commitment: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Prerequisites: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Corequisites: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Recommended Background Knowledge: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Non Allowed Subjects: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Core Participation Requirements: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Sundhya Pahuja

Contact

For the most up-to-date information about this subject, contact the Melbourne Law Masters Office by email at law-masters@unimelb.edu.au or phone 8344 6190 or alternatively visit the subject website: www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

Principal topics will include:

  • Law and development as a field
  • The 'development' concept and its precursors
  • The relationship between the concepts of 'law' and 'development'
  • The institutionalisation of development
  • Development, imperialism, decolonisation and the nation state
  • Permanent sovereignty over natural resources and the New International Economic Order
  • Debt crises and development(s) at the Bretton Wood institutions
  • Trade and development
  • Globalisation, governance and the rule of law
  • Sustainability, democracy and human rights
  • Resistance, alternatives and post-development
  • The future: Development and security.
Objectives:

For students undertaking the Master of Law and Development, this subject will provide a conceptual, historical and theoretical frame in which to situate and critically assess your learning in other subjects. For students in another course, this subject will help you understand the centrality of the concept of development to our understandings of international law and appreciate development's central role in the construction and maintenance of contemporary global orderings.

A student who has successfully completed this subject should:

  • Have a thorough knowledge of the range of processes and actors involved in the institutionalisation of development
  • Have a general understanding of the role of international institutions, particularly the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organization with respect to development
  • Be aware of the historical context and range of theories of law and development propounded by international institutions
  • Have the capacity to assess the effects, both intended and unintended, of particular development initiatives
  • Be familiar with the range of theoretical approaches to understanding and critiquing law and development initiatives.
Assessment:

Class participation (5%)
Group assignment: Class presentation (10%) and book review 1,500 words (15%) (1 July)
8,000 word research paper (70%) (9 September) on a topic approved by the subject coordinator
Prescribed Texts: Visit the subject website for more information
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Links to further information: http://www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au/

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