Principles of International Law

Subject LAWS70173 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

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

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

March, 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

September, 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: Not available
Prerequisites: This subject provides an introduction to the basic concepts and norms of the public international legal order. It is designed for those with no (or very limited) background in international law. Students who have completed an undergraduate subject in international law or have some professional experience are advised to consider other international law offerings.
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 Bruce Oswald, Assoc Prof Tania Voon

Contact

For more information, contact the Melbourne Law Masters office.

Email law-masters@unimelb.edu.au or phone +61 3 8344 6190.

Alternatively, visit our website:

www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

Principal topics will include:

  • The nature, purpose and language of international law
  • Sources of international law
  • International legal personality and jurisdiction
  • The responsibility of states and individuals (civil and criminal)
  • The UN and regional organisations and the International Court of Justice
  • Peaceful settlement of disputes and the use of force
  • The relationship between international law and municipal law.
Objectives:

A student who has successfully completed this subject should understand:

  • The process, structures and language of international law
  • Sources of international law and how they are applied
  • Who the subjects of international legal rights and duties are
  • When states may and may not exercise jurisdiction over people, things and events
  • The position and relevance of international law in international politics and society
  • Foundational concepts of public international law
  • How public international law works in practice, its sources and the institutional structure of the United Nations (UN) system and significance of the UN charter
  • The distinction between public international law at the international level and as it is applied in domestic courts
  • Substantive areas of international law such as the law of war crimes, international economic law, human rights law and the use of force
  • The history of international law and its contemporary relevance
  • How international law is political and yet detached from politics
  • The circumstances in which states may use force in international law.
Assessment:

Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.

Prescribed Texts: Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date

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