Module Information

Module Identifier
LAM4320
Module Title
Public International Law
Academic Year
2016/2017
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Seminar 11 x 2 Hour Seminars
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT OF 5,000-6,000 WORDS  80%
Semester Assessment ORAL PRESENTATION  20%
Supplementary Assessment WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT OF 5,000-6,000 WORDS TO BE RESUBMITTED, IF FAILED  80%
Supplementary Assessment ORAL PRESENTATION OR WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT IN LIEU OF ORAL PRESENTATION TO BE SUBMITTED, IF FAILED  20%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the difference and relationship between international law, politics and other disciplines.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the legal structures that regulate the working of the international community.
3. Use advanced legal skills and information in order to critically evaluate advanced and specialised international issues, both at theoretical and practical level.
4. Locate and evaluate the relevant literature and materials in this field and use them in critical discussions of the subject, both individually and in group.
5. Demonstrate a critical approach to international complex legal problems and present well informed analysis of these topics.
6. Demonstrate the ability to employ advanced skills and analytical tools to conduct research that shall be useful for both practitioners and more speculative researchers.

Brief description

The first seminar will focus on the concept of international law and its relationship with international politics and other relevant disciplines to understand the context and problems of contemporary international law. Then, the module will be divided into three main sections. The first section will deal with subjects and actors of international law. These shall include not only States, but also other important actors such as international organizations and organized groups. The second section will focus on the sources of the international legal system, looking in particular at treaties, customary law and other sources that define the legal obligations under international law. The third section shall address specific issues that may be relevant also for the study of other modules within the Programme. Each of those three main issues will be then divided into more detailed subsections, each of them focusing on specific themes, problems and sources.

Content

The first seminar will focus on the concept of international law and its relationship with international politics and other relevant disciplines to understand the context and problems of contemporary international law. Then, the module will be divided into three main sections. The first section will deal with subjects and actors of international law. These shall include not only States, but also other important actors such as international organizations and organized groups. The second section will focus on the sources of the international legal system, looking in particular at treaties, customary law and other sources that define the legal obligations under international law. The third section shall address specific issues that may be relevant also for the study of other modules within the Programme. Each of those three main issues will be then divided into more detailed subsections, each of them focusing on specific themes, problems and sources.

Transferable skills

3


Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7