International Law and Development (LAWS70093)
Graduate coursework level 7Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
March
Teaching staff:
Ruth Buchanan (Subject Coordinator)
Caitlin Murphy
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
Overview
| Availability(Quotas apply) | March |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
The concept of development has been crucial to structuring international legal relations from the end of World War II to the present day. During that time, international law and institutions have taken on ‘development’ as a primary project. In both the public and economic domains, the vast majority of international institutions engage with the development project in some shape or form.
This subject invites students to think about the nature and importance of development and its relation to international law. The history of development in relation to imperialism, decolonisation, the Cold War and globalisation means that this set of relations is complex and dynamic. Understanding it is crucial to understanding the place of international law, and the work development does in the contemporary world.
Indicative list of principal topics:
- Law and development as a field
- The ‘development’ concept and its precursors
- The relationship between the concepts of ‘law’ and ‘development’
- The institutionalisation of development
- Development, imperialism, decolonisation and the nation state
- Permanent sovereignty over natural resources and the new international economic order
- Debt crises and development(s) at the Bretton Wood institutions
- Trade and development
- Globalisation, governance and the rule of law
- Sustainability, democracy and human rights
- Resistance, alternatives and post-development.
Intended learning outcomes
This subject will provide a conceptual, historical and theoretical frame for students undertaking Master of Law and Development in which to situate and critically assess learning in other subjects. For students in other courses, this subject will help you understand the importance of the concept of development to our understandings of international law and appreciate development’s central role in the construction and maintenance of contemporary global orderings.
A student who has successfully completed this subject will:
- Have an advanced and detailed knowledge of the range of processes and actors involved in the institutionalisation of development
- Have a sophisticated and integrated understanding of the role of international institutions, particularly the United Nations (UN), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the World Trade Organization (WTO) with respect to development
- Have a critical and analytical appreciation of the historical context and range of theories of law and development propounded by international institutions
- Have the capacity to critically examine, analyse, interpret and assess the effects, both intended and unintended, of particular development initiatives
- Have a detailed knowledge of a range of theoretical approaches to understanding and critiquing law and development initiatives
- Be an engaged participant in debates around the legal and political economic dimensions of global inequality.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
It is recommended that students have a background in public or international law.
Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are taught at an advanced graduate level and requires a thorough background in common law. While efforts are made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, teaching and assessment activities are designed to give an advanced and integrated understanding of the discipline of law for legal practitioners, learners and researchers.
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Class participation | Throughout the teaching period | 10% |
Group presentation
| During the teaching period | 15% |
In-class Writing Task
| Day 4 | 25% |
Research Essay
| 26 May 2025 | 50% |
| Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance is required. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- March
Principal coordinator Ruth Buchanan Coordinator Caitlin Murphy Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 34 Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 19 February 2025 Pre teaching requirements Please refer to Canvas LMS to check on the pre-class readings and preparatory learning activities before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 19 March 2025 to 25 March 2025 Last self-enrol date 24 February 2025 Census date 21 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 2 May 2025 Assessment period ends 6 June 2025 March contact information
Teaching staff:
Ruth Buchanan (Subject Coordinator)
Caitlin Murphy
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters enrolment webpage for further information about re-enrolment, subject quotas and waitlists.
Melbourne Law School may reserve places in a subject for incoming international cohorts or where a subject is core to a specialisation with limited alternate options.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
If subject coordinator approval is required, or for further information about Community Access Program study, please contact us
(enquiries for current students | enquiries for prospective students).
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 4 March 2025