Public International Law
| Module title | Public International Law |
|---|---|
| Module code | LAW3024 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Agnieszka Jachec-Neale (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 35 |
|---|
Module description
Public international law regulates relationships among and between the states, international organisations and non-state actors at the international level and across the borders. International order and international law is shaped by international politics and social values as well as by shifts in geopolitical powers – the discussions on this course aim to follow the latest developments in international affairs that provide a context to study of international law.
During the study of this course, you will first explore the fundamental basics: the theories, institutions and processes, of this system of law including its sources, jurisdiction, mechanisms for dispute settlement and state responsibility. You will then focus on substantive issues affecting the regulation of activities in the international context including the use of force and regulation of armed conflicts, terrorism and counter-terrorism laws, international criminal justice and the protection of human rights as well as emerging issues concerning activities in cyber and outer space. The latter part of the course draws on the lecturers’ own current research and professional experience, which makes it truly a research-inspired course.
Studying international law is not only vital for those wishing to take part in the Jessup Mooting Competition but anyone who may be considering working for international organisations and institutions, both governmental and non-governmental responding to humanitarian, environmental and other global challenges.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module is designed to give you the opportunity to explore the nature and role of international law, to question your assumptions about the nature and character of international law in a global society as shaped by international affairs, and to develop some critical perspectives on international law in particular socio-political and historical contexts. The module aims to introduce you to the necessary theoretical and practical application as well as contextual background of foundations of international law.
Focusing on the development of independent student research skills and critical thinking, the module aims to give you the opportunity to develop these capacities that are particularly valued by employers in international community. The module also aims to draw on the research specialisation of the lecturers by introducing you to the contemporary challenges currently explored in international law.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the range of legal concepts, frameworks and principles governing international law as well as institutions and mechanisms relevant to international law and the ability to explain the relationships between them;
- 2. Demonstrate awareness and understanding of current developments in international law and practice;
- 3. Demonstrate a deep understanding of the role of the key actors of international law including States, international organisations and non-state actors;
- 4. Demonstrate a detailed understanding and where necessary apply the standards and processes for regulating international activities, also in the social, economic, political, historical, philosophical, ethical and cultural contexts.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Make independent and effective critical judgement about the merits and relevance of particular information and make reasoned choices between alternative solutions or arguments
- 6. Communicate technical legal information and argument effectively, concisely and reflectively, orally and in writing, in an appropriate manner and in task-specific ways;
- 7. Apply knowledge to real and hypothetical situations to a problem or case study.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Identify, retrieve and use, independently and efficiently, a range of library-based and electronic resources with minimum guidance
- 9. Research a legal question independently and demonstrate competence in applying relevant theories selectively and critically in order to formulate and evaluate a response to it
- 10. Manage time independently and efficiently in preparing for learning activities, to be proactive in developing your own learning, and work independently within a limited time frame to complete a specified task
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or most of the following topics:
GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW
- Sources
- Subjects
- Legal Personality
- Jurisdiction
- State Responsibility
- Dispute Settlement
SUBSTANTIVE PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW
- Armed Conflicts and Use of Force
- Terrorism and Counterterrorism
- International Human Rights
- International Criminal Justice
- Regulation of Cyber Domain and Outer Space Law
- Refugees and Displaced Persons
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | 245 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 46 | 46 x 1 hour Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 9 | 6 x 1.5 hour Workshops |
| Guided independent study | 120 | Individual reading and lecture preparation |
| Guided independent study | 35 | Workshop Preparation |
| Guided independent study | 87 | Formative and Summative Assessment Preparation |
| Guided independent study | 3 | Attendance at relevant events organised by the Exeter Centre for International Law |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1,300 words | 1-9 | Students will be given written or oral feedback from the course instructor. |
| Mock exam- voluntary and peer-marked | 1 hours and 30 minutes | 1-10 | Peer-to peer assessment and feedback will be provided. Peer-marking material and guidance will be made available on ELE; further guidance from tutor available on request |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | 60 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 40 | 3,000 words | 1-9 | Written feedback and a numerical grade |
| Examination- seen 48 hours ahead | 60 | 2 hours and 15 minutes | 1-10 | Written feedback and a numerical grade |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay (3,000 words) | 1-9 | August/September assessment period |
| Examination- seen 48 hours ahead | Examination (2 hours and 15 minutes) | 1-10 | August/September assessment period |
Re-assessment notes
Students resubmitting their analyses will have to have attended a further inquiry and written a fresh analysis.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Malcolm Shaw, International Law (Cambridge, 2017)
Malcolm Evans (ed.) International Law (OUP, 2014)
Vaughan Lowe, International Law (OUP, 2007)
Jan Klabbers International Law (CUP 2016 )
James Crawford, Brownlie’s Principles of Public International Law (OUP 2012)
James Crawford and Martti Koskenniemi, The Cambridge Companion to International Law (CUP 2012)
Martti Koskenniemi, The Gentle Civilizer of Nations: The Rise and fall of International Law 1870-1960 (CUP 2005)
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ·ICJ: www.icj-cij.org/
- ·ICC: www.un.org/icc
- ·Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): www.ohchr.org
- ·The International Law Commission: www.un.org/law/ilc
- ·Oxford Reports on International Law on campus URL:http://www.oxfordlawreports.com/
off campus URL: http://0-www.oxfordlawreports.com.lib.exeter.ac.uk/
- ·Max Planck Encyclopaedia of Public International Law (MPEPIL) on campus URL: http://www.mpepil.com/http://www.mpepil.com/
off campus URL: http://0-www.mpepil.com.lib.exeter.ac.uk/
- ·International law blogs:
- EJIL: Talk!: http://www.ejiltalk.org
- Opinio Juris: http://www.opiniojuris.org
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/10/2001 |
| Last revision date | 4/12/2018 |
