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Institutions in International Law (LAWS50045)
Graduate coursework level 5Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
March
Graduate Services Coordinator (International Experience)
Email: law-global@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 8344 4475
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability(Quotas apply) | March |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject examines the place of international institutions within the international legal order, considering their structure, normative underpinnings, and activities. It focuses on inter-governmental organisations but also considers non-governmental organisations and the role of civil society and national governments in both types of institutions. It considers how international institutions reflect conflicting notions of fragmentation and unity in international law. Principal topics to be covered include:
- The complex role of international institutions in the development of international law and global governance;
- Introduction to specialised international institutions in Geneva and elsewhere including their history, trends in their mission, influence and importance, recent developments, and reform proposals;
- The theory surrounding fragmentation of international law, including the proliferation of institutions and dispute settlement tribunals and the proliferation of substantive laws;
- Inter-organisational cooperation, coordination and conflict in areas such as trade, human rights, the laws of war, and development; and
- Participation and representation in international institutions by governments, business, civil society and secretariat staff.
The class will have the opportunity to hear from and interact with expert interlocutors on-site at a diverse range of governmental, intergovernmental, non-governmental and private entities.
Intended learning outcomes
A candidate who has completed this subject will:
- Have an advanced understanding of the relationship between international institutions and international law;
- Be able to clearly explain, reflect on and critique the theory of fragmentation in international law and its relevance to international institutions;
- Have expert knowledge of a range of international institutions and the complex legal issues they face;
- Have an integrated understanding of the role of different actors within international institutions and how various institutions relate to each other; and
- Have advanced knowledge of key contextual factors influencing international institutions from the perspective of law, policy, politics, diplomacy and management.
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject will have developed the following skills:
- Advanced written communication skills: essay-writing, writing short reports and announcements, writing professional emails to institutions and guest speakers, writing an extended piece of legal research;
- Advanced oral communication skills: discussions, debates, question and answer sessions, introducing and thanking guest speakers;
- Cognitive skills: critical thinking, problem-solving analytical skills;
- Professionalism: engaging in a thoughtful and professional manner with individuals and organisations in a range of international contexts;
- Specialised capacities in information seeking and evaluation;
- Writing and working in small groups;
- Working with and in different institutional and national cultures; and
- Complex and specialised legal research.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Only approved applicants can enrol into this subject.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Studies in public international law are an advantage.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- Hurdle Requirement: 100% class attendance.
- Short written report on assigned topic (20%): students may be required to work on this assignment individually or in small groups. Topics assigned will be diverse, and may address such matters as themes arising in the course, organisations visited or studied, and/or relevant aspects of law. Each student’s report (or share of a group report) will be approximately 800–1,000 words in length.
- Class participation (10%), including:
- Professional comportment throughout the course;
- Active participation in seminars in Melbourne and Geneva;
- Leading discussions and questions on particular topics;
- Researching, introducing and thanking individual guest speakers; and
- Assisting with logistical and administrative matters.
- 6,000 word research paper (70%)
The due date of the above assessment will be available to students via the Assessment Schedule on the LMS Community.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- March
Principal coordinator Tania Voon Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 15 hours per week Total time commitment 144 hours Teaching period 6 March 2018 to 6 July 2018 Last self-enrol date 15 October 2017 Census date 20 April 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 13 July 2018 Assessment period ends 24 September 2018 March contact information
Graduate Services Coordinator (International Experience)
Email: law-global@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 8344 4475
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au
Additional delivery details
Six to eight seminars held in Melbourne during early Semester 1 and the rest taught intensively in Geneva, Switzerland, during the Winter Recess (June-July).
This subject has a quota of 25 students. Applicants are selected through a competitive application process. Please refer to the JD LMS Community for more details.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
- Required readings will be provided electronically via the LMS subject page.
- Subject notes
Students will need to cover the cost of their flights to Geneva and meals and accommodation in Geneva.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Juris Doctor - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
If required, please contact law-admissions@unimelb.edu.au for subject coordinator approval.
Last updated: 3 November 2022