Master of Public and International Law

Course 511AA (2015)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2015.

Year and Campus: 2015 - Parkville
CRICOS Code: 075001A
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Duration & Credit Points: 100 credit points taken over 12 months full time. This course is available as full or part time.

Coordinator

Laureate Professor Cheryl Saunders AO and Professor Gerry Simpson

Contact

For more information:

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

Course Overview:

The specialisation in public and international law brings together constitutional, administrative and public international law in recognition of the increasing interdependence of international and domestic law. An extraordinary range of subjects across the entire field of public law offers students access to the latest developments in theory and practice in Australia and elsewhere. The program will appeal both to practitioners and to scholars with backgrounds or interests in government, international institutions, not-for-profit organisations, business/government relations and international development. Students may specialise in international law, Australian public law or comparative public law, or may choose a range of subjects from across different areas to suit their own interests and needs. The Directors of Studies are specialists in international law (Simpson) and Australian and comparative public law (Saunders) and have collaborated closely to develop a program that explores the interface between the two.
Learning Outcomes:

Graduates of the Master of Public and International Law will:

Have an advanced and integrated understanding of the complex body of knowledge in the field of public and international law, including:

  • the legal and institutional framework for Australian government in theory and practice
  • analysis and resolution of the complex problems of government law
  • a range of alternative approaches to government law in other countries and systems and the methodology of comparative public law
  • the context within which government law operates and the sensitivities peculiar to it
  • the nature, major principles, processes and structures of the international legal system and the relationship between international and domestic law
  • legal issues in contemporary public and institutional affairs
  • the increasing significance of international law domestically, regionally and globally

Have expert, specialised cognitive and technical skills that equip them to independently:

  • analyse, critically reflect on and synthesise complex information, concepts and theories in the field of public and international law
  • research and apply such information, concepts and theories to the relevant body of knowledge and practice
  • interpret and transmit their knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences

Apply their knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, expert judgment, adaptability and responsibility as a practitioner and learner in the field of public and international law.
Course Structure & Available Subjects:

Students must complete eight subjects in total.

Students who do not have a law degree from a common law jurisdiction must complete Fundamentals of the Common Law, as well as seven subjects from the prescribed list.

Students with a law degree from a common law jurisdiction must complete at least seven subjects from the prescribed list and may choose an eighth subject from those available in the Melbourne Law Masters (excluding Fundamentals of the Common Law).
Subject Options:

2015 Subjects

General Government Law

General Public International Law

Human Rights Law

International Economic Law

Other subjects

Asian Law

Communications Law

Dispute Resolution

Environmental Law

International Tax
Entry Requirements:
  • A degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent) leading to admission to practice, at honours standard, or equivalent;
    or
  • A degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent) leading to admission to practice, or equivalent and two years of documented relevant professional experience;
    or
  • An undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline and two years of documented relevant professional experience;
    or
  • An undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline; and successful completion of four subjects in a cognate graduate diploma and one year of documented relevant professional experience
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 the Disability Liaison Unit: www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/
Further Study:

A student who completes a masters degree in the Melbourne Law Masters is eligible to apply for entry to the PhD program.
Graduate Attributes:
  1. Advanced understanding of the changing knowledge base in the relevant area(s) of law
    The specialist focus of the Melbourne Law Masters, the constant review and renewal of subjects and courses to ensure coverage of recent developments, the range and expertise of instructors from Australia and around the world, and regular advice from MLM advisory boards combine to ensure that courses and subjects reflect emerging knowledge and ideas.
  2. Ability to investigate, evaluate, synthesise and apply existing knowledge in the relevant area(s) with creativity and initiative
    Small classes, a discussion-based environment and the emphasis on quality teaching and learning create an environment in which knowledge is exchanged, critically examined and adapted to current circumstances.
  3. Well-developed problem solving abilities, characterised by flexibility of approach
    Most subjects approach knowledge by reference to various issues or problems. Students are required to critically analyse problems and identify and develop a range of appropriate solutions through class discussion, individual study and assessment tasks.
  4. Advanced competencies in legal research and analysis
    Class preparation and class discussions are designed to enhance these skills, which are tested in all forms of assessment. All graduates of an LLM will have demonstrated, through subject assessment, the ability to use their research skills to plan, develop and execute substantial research-based project(s) and/or piece(s) of scholarship.
  5. Capacity to effectively communicate complex legal ideas and theories, orally and in writing, to a variety of audiences
    Classroom discussion and formal presentations provide an opportunity to hone oral communication skills, and written assessment tasks are graded in part on written communication skills.
  6. Appreciation of the design, conduct and reporting of original research
    Research papers and other research tasks are expected to attain a degree of creativity, originality and discovery that befits a postgraduate program of the highest quality, and students are encouraged and assisted to publish original work of a high standard in refereed journals.
  7. Capacity to manage competing demands on time and ability to work with a high level of autonomy and accountability
    The demanding nature of graduate study requires effective time-management skills from all students and an ability to work independently and be accountable for commitment to study and output, as demonstrated through class attendance, engagement and assessment. The rigour of our programs, whether undertaken part-time or full-time, ensures that all successful graduates have enhanced time-management skills and the ability to work with relative autonomy.
  8. Profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, including the ethics of scholarship
    Some subjects have a substantive ethical component. All instructors have a respect for intellectual integrity and are skilled scholars or practitioners in their own right.
  9. Appreciation of the way in which knowledge provides a foundation for leadership
    Instructors in the Melbourne Law Masters are leaders in their fields, and many subjects involve visiting academics, exposing students to a wider array of leaders in a range of legal fields. The Law School is committed to the significance of knowledge, which informs all regular programs and a wide range of additional activities.
  10. Capacity to value and participate in teamwork
    Small class sizes and an intensive teaching format are valuable in encouraging group dynamics and teamwork.
  11. Understanding of the significance and value of knowledge to the wider community
    Law and legal knowledge are a community resource. In some subjects, this perspective is covered explicitly by the syllabus and the manner in which issues are treated in class. In addition, our diverse student body ensures that a range of perspectives on the way law impacts on the community are identified and analysed.
  12. Capacity to engage with issues in contemporary society
    Our programs focus on the most up-to-date legal knowledge, analysing current issues and problems through the curriculum design, classroom discussion and assessment tasks. International students are also invited to participate in extracurricular activities to aid understanding of Australian law and legal institutions.
  13. Advanced working skills in the use of new technology
    The most advanced IT infrastructure is available to Melbourne Law Masters students in the Law Library, the Moot Court Room, classroom settings and for private study.
Links to further information: www.law.unimelb.edu.au/course/511/2015

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