International Trade and Development (LAWS70169)

Graduate coursework level 7Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability(Quotas apply)
May
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The objective of this course is to provide an understanding of contemporary development issues and the relationships between development policies and international trade law in the context of a globalised world economy.

The course begins with a review of some of the most prominent theories of economic development, describes approaches and definitions of economic development, tools and strategies for making development goals achievable, and explores views about the nature of economic, social and human prosperity. Students will undertake a comprehensive examination of development policies from the protectionism of the 1960s to the Post ‘Washington consensus’ paradigm, the challenges of mainstreaming development in the WTO (‘WTO’), and the current crisis facing the Multilateral Trading System; the emergence of mega regional trading blocks, and the current debate on future International Trade Agreements will be  a focus of the course. Contemporary trade and development policy issues such the evolution of global value chains (‘GVCs’) and their consequences for free trade agreements, beyond the border regulations, state-owned enterprises (‘STEs’), and inequalities in opportunities and income will be examined from a perspective of international trade law and development policy, using case studies as appropriate.

The course then present the rationales for free trade & protection, the distributional consequences of trade, the impact of trade on employment and growth and the challenges presented by deeper international economic integration. The next sections of the course consider the World Trade Organization (WTO) and explore negotiation mechanisms and principles, the rules relating to market access, fair trade, safeguards and the system for dispute settlement and retaliation. The final section considers major issues facing the multilateral trading system and the role of developing countries in building a new international economic architecture.

Indicative list of principal topics:

  • Goals, scope and measurement of economic development;
  • International Law and Development;
  • Developing countries in the world economy;
  • The Multilateral trading system and the developing counties;
  • International Trade law and their Effects on economic development;
  • The participation of developing countries in the Mega Regional Trade Agreements;
  • The Emerging Mega Regional Trade Agreements and the Future of the WTO
  • Selected case studies on trade and development from the WTO Dispute settlement Mechanism.

Intended learning outcomes

A student who has successfully completed this subject should:



  • Be able to understand and evaluate the different conceptions of development and explain the role of the state in development as well as the nature of government-market relations;
  • Be able to critically evaluate free trade theory under the existing multilateral trading system and its interface with development policies in developing countries;
  • Be able to understand and evaluate the impact of globalisation on economic development, poverty reduction, and inequality within and between countries; and
  • Be able to assess the evolution of the legal framework of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1947 ('GATT') and the WTO from a development perspective.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Students must meet one of the following prerequisite options:

Option 1

Admission into a Melbourne Law Masters program

AND

A background in international law, economics or political science.

Option 2

Admission into the MC-JURISD Juris Doctor

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

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

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Class participation

Throughout the teaching period10%

Take-home Exam

  • 5000 words (equivalent)
13-16 June 202590%
Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance is required.Throughout the teaching periodN/A

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Quotas apply to this subject

Dates & times

  • May
    Principal coordinatorHassan Qaqaya
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours34
    Total time commitment150 hours
    Pre teaching start date 7 April 2025
    Pre teaching requirementsPlease refer to Canvas LMS to check on the pre-class readings and preparatory learning activities before the teaching period commences.
    Teaching period 5 May 2025 to 9 May 2025
    Last self-enrol date11 April 2025
    Census date 9 May 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail13 June 2025
    Assessment period ends18 July 2025

    May contact information

    Teaching staff: 

    Hassan Qaqaya (Subject Coordinator)

    For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office 

Time commitment details

136-150 hours 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.

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

Last updated: 4 March 2025