Public International Law
| Module title | Public International Law |
|---|---|
| Module code | LAW3024 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Chris O'Meara (Lecturer) |
| 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 States, international organisations and non-State actors at the international level and across borders. The international legal order is shaped by international politics and social values as well as by shifts in geopolitical powers. The discussions on this module intend to follow the latest developments in international affairs as these provide the contemporary context to the study of international law.
On the module, you will first explore the fundamentals: 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.
Studying international law is vital for 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
The 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 critical perspectives on international law (including socio-political and historical). 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 such capacities as are particularly valued by employers in the international community. The module also aims to draw on Law School research expertise 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;
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Make independent and effective critical judgement about the merits and relevance of particular information and make reasoned choices between alternative solutions or arguments;
- 5. Communicate technical legal information and argument effectively, concisely and reflectively, in an appropriate manner and in task-specific ways;
- 6. 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...
- 7. Identify, retrieve and use, independently and efficiently, a range of resources, with minimal guidance;
- 8. 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;
- 9. Manage time independently and efficiently in preparing for learning activities, to be proactive in developing your own learning, and to work independently 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 all of the following topics:
General principles of international law:
- Sources
- Subjects
- Legal personality
- Jurisdiction
- State responsibility
- Dispute settlement
Substantive public international law:
- International humanitarian law
- International human rights law
- International criminal law and justice
Regulation of the cyber domain and outer space
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 53 | 247 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 41 | 41 x 1 hour lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 12 | 6 x 2 hour seminars |
| Guided independent study | 157 | Individual reading, seminar and lecture preparation |
| Guided independent study | 90 | Formative and summative assessments preparation |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1,500 words | 1-9 | Individual written feedback; oral feedback upon request |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 | 50 | 2,000 words | 1-9 | Individual written feedback, oral feedback upon request |
| Essay 2 | 50 | 2,000 words | 1-9 | Individual written feedback, oral feedback upon request |
| 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 1 | Essay 1 (2,000 words) | 1-9 | August/September reassessment period |
| Essay 2 | Essay 2 (2,000 words) | 1-9 | August/September reassessment period |
Re-assessment notes
re-assessment will be on new essay questions.
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)
- ·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
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 | 17/02/2023 |
