Principles of International Law

Subject LAWS70173 (2016)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2016.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 7 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

April, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start 21-Mar-2016
Teaching Period 18-Apr-2016 to 22-Apr-2016
Assessment Period End 30-May-2016
Last date to Self-Enrol 14-Dec-2015
Census Date 18-Apr-2016
Last date to Withdraw without fail 06-May-2016

This subject has a quota of 30 students. Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters website for further information about the management of subject quotas and waitlists.



Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 24-26 hours
Total Time Commitment:

136-150 hours

The pre-teaching period commences four weeks before the subject commencement date. From this time, students are expected to access and review the Reading Guide that will be available from the LMS subject page and the subject materials provided by the subject coordinator, which will be available from Melbourne Law School. Refer to the Reading Guide for confirmation of which resources need to be read and what other preparation is required before the teaching period commences.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge:

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.

Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are offered in the discipline of law at an advanced graduate level. While every effort will be made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, concessions will not be made in the general level of instruction or assessment. Most subjects assume the knowledge usually acquired in a degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent). Applicants should note that admission to some subjects in the Melbourne Law Masters will be dependent upon the individual applicant’s educational background and professional experience.

Non Allowed Subjects:

Students who have completed an undergraduate subject in international law or have some professional experience are advised to consider other international law offerings.

Core Participation Requirements:

The Melbourne Law Masters welcomes applications from students with disabilities. The inherent academic requirements for study in the Melbourne Law Masters are:

  • The ability to attend a minimum of 75% of classes and actively engage in the analysis and critique of complex materials and debate;
  • The ability to read, analyse and comprehend complex written legal materials and complex interdisciplinary materials;
  • The ability to clearly and independently communicate in writing a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and to critically evaluate these;
  • The ability to clearly and independently communicate orally a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and critically evaluate these;
  • The ability to work independently and as a part of a group;
  • The ability to present orally and in writing legal analysis to a professional standard.

Students who feel their disability will inhibit them from meeting these inherent academic requirements are encouraged to contact Student Equity and Disability Support.

Coordinator

Dr Madelaine Chiam

Contact

Lecturers

Ms Madelaine Chiam (Coordinator)

Associate Professor Anna Hood

Email: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 8344 6190
Website: www.law.unimelb.edu.au/masters

Subject Overview:

This subject is an introduction to the basic principles and rules of the public international legal order. It is designed as an introduction to international law and, therefore, provides students with an understanding of the foundational concepts of international law, its history and contemporary relevance, sources of international law and the role of some key international institutions, such as the United Nations (UN). The subject is grounded in both theory and practice so as to better demonstrate how international law works in dealing with a range of issues such as dispute settlement, self-determination, international criminal law and human rights law. Students will be encouraged to critically evaluate the position and relevance of international law in international politics and society by addressing past and current developments through case studies. The members of the teaching team are scholars in international law who have developed specific areas of specialisation in international law.

Principal topics include:

  • The nature, purpose and language of international law
  • Sources of international law
  • International legal personality
  • Jurisdiction of states and jurisdictional immunities
  • The responsibility of states and individuals for violations of international law
  • The role of the UN and regional organisations
  • Peaceful settlement of disputes and the functions of the International Court of Justice
  • Regulation of the use of force in international relations
  • The relationship between international law and municipal law.
Learning Outcomes:

A student who has successfully completed this subject will:

  • explain the salient features of international law as a legal system, and compare and contrast these features with those of municipal law
  • identify, locate and interpret sources of international law
  • analyse matters of international concern and apply pertinent rules and principles of international law to them
  • construct, defend and critique arguments in support of particular propositions of international law
  • reflect critically upon and engage with theoretical debates relating to the structure, content and efficacy of the international legal system
  • undertake self-directed research on international law issues using printed and online resources.
Assessment:

Take-home examination (5,000-6,000 words as specified in the subject reading guide) (100%) (27 - 30 May)

A minimum of 75% attendance is a hurdle requirement.

Prescribed Texts:

Specialist printed materials will be made available free of charge from the Melbourne Law School prior to the pre-teaching period.

Malcolm Evans (ed), International Law (4th ed, 2014, Oxford University Press).

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Links to further information: www.law.unimelb.edu.au/subject/LAWS70173/2016
Related Course(s): Graduate Diploma in Environmental Law
Graduate Diploma in International Economic Law
Graduate Diploma in International Law
Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies
Master of Commercial Law
Master of Environmental Law
Master of Law and Development
Master of Laws
Master of Public and International Law

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