Law and Development

Subject 730-712 (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: None
Corequisites: N.A.
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: N.A.

Coordinator

A/Prof Sundhya Pahuja, Dr Jenny Beard
Subject Overview:

Objectives:

A candidate who has successfully completed the 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
  • Have the capacity to articulate their knowledge and understanding in oral and written presentations.

If you are undertaking the Master of Law and Development, this subject will serve as a conceptual, historical and theoretical frame in which to situate and critically assess what you learn in your other subjects. If you are taking this subject as part of another course, it will help you to understand the centrality of the concept of development to our understandings of international law and developments central role in the construction and maintenance of contemporary global orderings.


Syllabus:

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.
Assessment:
  • Class participation (5%)
  • Group assignment comprising class presentation (10%)
  • Research paper 8,000 words (70%) (21 July) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
    and
  • 1,500-word book review (15%) (1 May)
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: 730-712Law and DevelopmentMelbourne Law Masters, postgraduate law, post-graduate law, graduate law2008

Objectives:

A candidate who has successfully completed the 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
  • Have the capacity to articulate their knowledge and understanding in oral and written presentations.

If you are undertaking the Master of Law and Development, this subject will serve as a conceptual, historical and theoretical frame in which to situate and critically assess what you learn in your other subjects. If you are taking this subject as part of another course, it will help you to understand the centrality of the concept of development to our understandings of international law and developments central role in the construction and maintenance of contemporary global orderings.


Syllabus:

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.
  • Class participation (5%)
  • Group assignment comprising class presentation (10%)
  • Research paper 8,000 words (70%) (21 July) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
    and
  • 1,500-word book review (15%) (1 May)
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.A/Prof Sundhya Pahuja, Dr Jenny BeardLawFor the latest information on this subject, please visit: http://www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au/subject/730712P12.500Semester 1NLawLaw730-712

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