Developing Countries and the WTO

Subject 730-796 (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:

Summer Term, - 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: Prerequisite

It is recommended that candidates either have a background in international law or have successfully completed 'Principles of International Law'.
Corequisites: N.A.
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: N.A.

Coordinator

Mr Jurgen Kurtz
Subject Overview:

Objectives:

A candidate who has successfully completed the subject should:

  • Be able to critique the role of economic liberalism and any necessary complementary policies in the process of economic development
  • Be able to assess the evolution of the legal framework of the GATT and the WTO from the perspective of developing countries
  • Be able to identify necessary changes to the institutional and substantive coverage of the WTO to better reflect developing country interests.

Syllabus:

This subject will deal with the economic and legal issues facing developing countries in their engagement within the World Trade Organization (WTO). A central organising theme will be the evolving theory and practice relating to the role of economic liberalisation in the developmental processes of these countries.

Principal topics will include:

  • History of developing country engagement in the GATTWTO
  • Evolving theory on trade and development
  • GATT legal framework: Pre-Uruguay Round
  • Overview of Uruguay Round and WTO legal framework
  • Agriculture
  • Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
  • Trade remedies: Antidumping, countervailing duties and safeguards
  • The fair trade debate: Environmental and labour standards
  • The non-WTO Singapore issue of foreign investment
  • The developmental implications of bilateralism and regionalism
  • The future: The Doha Ministerial Declaration.
Assessment:
  • Research paper 10,000 words (100%) (19 May) (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: 730-796Developing Countries and the WTOMelbourne Law Masters, postgraduate law, post-graduate law, graduate law2008

Objectives:

A candidate who has successfully completed the subject should:

  • Be able to critique the role of economic liberalism and any necessary complementary policies in the process of economic development
  • Be able to assess the evolution of the legal framework of the GATT and the WTO from the perspective of developing countries
  • Be able to identify necessary changes to the institutional and substantive coverage of the WTO to better reflect developing country interests.

Syllabus:

This subject will deal with the economic and legal issues facing developing countries in their engagement within the World Trade Organization (WTO). A central organising theme will be the evolving theory and practice relating to the role of economic liberalisation in the developmental processes of these countries.

Principal topics will include:

  • History of developing country engagement in the GATTWTO
  • Evolving theory on trade and development
  • GATT legal framework: Pre-Uruguay Round
  • Overview of Uruguay Round and WTO legal framework
  • Agriculture
  • Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
  • Trade remedies: Antidumping, countervailing duties and safeguards
  • The fair trade debate: Environmental and labour standards
  • The non-WTO Singapore issue of foreign investment
  • The developmental implications of bilateralism and regionalism
  • The future: The Doha Ministerial Declaration.

  • Research paper 10,000 words (100%) (19 May) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
Prerequisite

It is recommended that candidates either have a background in international law or have successfully completed 'Principles of International Law'.

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/730796P12.500SummerNLawLaw730-796

Download PDF version.