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Principles of International Law (LAWS70173)
Graduate coursework level 7Points: 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
Lecturers
Semester 1
Associate Professor Margaret Young, Coordinator
Ms Kobi Leins
Semester 2
Professor Sundhya Pahuja, Coordinator
Professor Matthew Craven
Email: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 8344 6190
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au
September
Lecturers
Semester 1
Associate Professor Margaret Young, Coordinator
Ms Kobi Leins
Semester 2
Professor Sundhya Pahuja, Coordinator
Professor Matthew Craven
Email: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 8344 6190
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability(Quotas apply) | March September |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject is an introduction to the basic principles and rules of the public international legal order. It is designed as an introduction to international law and, therefore, provides students with an understanding of the foundational concepts of international law, its history and contemporary relevance, sources of international law and the role of some key international institutions, such as the United Nations (UN). The subject is grounded in both theory and practice so as to better demonstrate how international law works in dealing with a range of issues such as dispute settlement, self-determination, international criminal law and human rights law. Students will be encouraged to critically evaluate the position and relevance of international law in international politics and society by addressing past and current developments through case studies. The members of the teaching team are scholars in international law who have developed specific areas of specialisation in international law.
Principal topics include:
- The nature, purpose and language of international law
- Sources of international law
- International legal personality
- Jurisdiction of states and jurisdictional immunities
- The responsibility of states and individuals for violations of international law
- The role of the UN and regional organisations
- Peaceful settlement of disputes and the functions of the International Court of Justice
- Regulation of the use of force in international relations
- The relationship between international law and municipal law.
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject should be able to:
- explain the salient features of international law as a legal system, and compare and contrast these features with those of municipal law
- identify, locate and interpret sources of international law
- analyse matters of international concern and apply pertinent rules and principles of international law to them
- construct, defend and critique arguments in support of particular propositions of international law
- reflect critically upon and engage with theoretical debates relating to the structure, content and efficacy of the international legal system
- undertake self-directed research on international law issues using printed and online resources.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Students who have completed an undergraduate subject in international law or have some professional experience are advised to consider other international law offerings.
Recommended background knowledge
This subject provides an introduction to the basic concepts and norms of the public international legal order. It is designed for those with no (or very limited) background in international law. Students who have completed an undergraduate subject in international law or have some professional experience are advised to consider other international law offerings.
Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are offered in the discipline of law at an advanced graduate level. While every effort will be made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, concessions will not be made in the general level of instruction or assessment. Most subjects assume the knowledge usually acquired in a degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent). Applicants should note that admission to some subjects in the Melbourne Law Masters will be dependent upon the individual applicant’s educational background and professional experience.
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
Take-home examination (5,000 - 6,000 words) (100%)
- Semester 1: 4 - 7 May
- Semester 2: 12 - 15 October
A minimum of 75% attendance is a hurdle requirement.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- March
Principal coordinator Margaret Young Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24-34 hours Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 14 February 2018 Pre teaching requirements The pre-teaching period commences four weeks before the subject commencement date. From this time, students are expected to access and review the Reading Guide that will be available from the LMS subject page and the subject materials provided by the subject coordinator, which will be available from Melbourne Law School. Refer to the Reading Guide for confirmation of which resources need to be read and what other preparation is required before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 14 March 2018 to 20 March 2018 Last self-enrol date 31 January 2018 Census date 14 March 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 6 April 2018 Assessment period ends 7 May 2018 March contact information
Lecturers
Semester 1
Associate Professor Margaret Young, Coordinator
Ms Kobi LeinsSemester 2
Professor Sundhya Pahuja, Coordinator
Professor Matthew CravenEmail: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 8344 6190
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au - September
Principal coordinator Sundhya Pahuja Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24-34 hours Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 6 August 2018 Pre teaching requirements The pre-teaching period commences four weeks before the subject commencement date. From this time, students are expected to access and review the Reading Guide that will be available from the LMS subject page and the subject materials provided by the subject coordinator, which will be available from Melbourne Law School. Refer to the Reading Guide for confirmation of which resources need to be read and what other preparation is required before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 3 September 2018 to 7 September 2018 Last self-enrol date 31 July 2018 Census date 3 September 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 21 September 2018 Assessment period ends 15 October 2018 September contact information
Lecturers
Semester 1
Associate Professor Margaret Young, Coordinator
Ms Kobi LeinsSemester 2
Professor Sundhya Pahuja, Coordinator
Professor Matthew CravenEmail: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 8344 6190
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au
Additional delivery details
This subject has a quota of 30 students.
Enrolment is on a first come, first served basis. Waitlists are maintained for subjects that are fully subscribed.
Students should note priority of places in subjects will be given as follows:
- To currently enrolled Graduate Diploma and Masters students with a satisfactory record in their degree
- To other students enrolling on a single subject basis, eg Community Access Program (CAP) students, cross-institutional study and cross-faculty study.
Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters website for further information about the management of subject quotas and waitlists.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Specialist printed materials will be made available free of charge from the Melbourne Law School prior to the pre-teaching period.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Links to additional information
- 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