International Economic Law (LAWS70308)
Graduate coursework level 7Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
March
Teaching staff:
Yueming Yan (Subject Coordinator)
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
July
Teaching staff:
Xueji Su (Subject Coordinator)
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
Overview
| Availability(Quotas apply) | March July |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Newspaper headlines frequently concern global economic issues, from trade disputes between countries and investment claims by foreign investors against sovereign states, to countries facing balance-of-payments crises and seeking assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This subject examines the law governing global economic issues. It is designed both as a comprehensive introduction in its own right to this important field, as well as a foundation for further exploration through specialist subjects in the curriculum. It begins with a focus on international trade law, particularly the rules and dispute settlement procedures of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). It then discusses contemporary developments in international trade law and policy, including the negotiations for regional or bilateral preferential trade agreements. The subject then considers international investment law, examining key substantive obligations relating to investor protection and investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms (particularly through the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)). Finally, the subject provides an introduction to the lending policies and practices of international financial institutions, particularly the IMF and the World Bank.
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject should be able to:
- Integrate their understanding of key areas of international economic law, including the law of the WTO, international investment law and the practices of international financial institutions (IMF and World Bank)
- Critically examine, analyse, interpret and assess the effectiveness of these legal rules
- Engage in scholarly debate regarding controversies surrounding the impact of international economic law on various aspects of state sovereignty
- Examine and explain the major forms of dispute settlement in the field (including the WTO Dispute Settlement Understanding and the ICSID Convention) and their similarities and differences
- Independently examine, research and analyse existing and emerging legal issues relating to international economic law
- Articulate and explain complex information regarding international economic law to relevant specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
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
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Class participation | Throughout the teaching period | 15% |
Assessment 2, Option 1: Take-home examination
| March offering: 4 - 7 April 2025 | July offering: 12- 15 September 2025 | 85% |
Assessment 2, Option 2: Research Paper
| March offering: 7 May 2025 | July offering: 8 October 2025 | 85% |
Attendance Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance is required. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Note: Students must choose assessment from the options listed above. If an option contains parts, all parts must be completed if that option is chosen.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- March
Principal coordinator Yueming Yan Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 34 Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 3 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 3 March 2025 to 7 March 2025 Last self-enrol date 7 February 2025 Census date 7 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 11 April 2025 Assessment period ends 16 May 2025 March contact information
Teaching staff:
Yueming Yan (Subject Coordinator)
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office - July
Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 34 Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 2 July 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 30 July 2025 to 5 August 2025 Last self-enrol date 7 July 2025 Census date 1 August 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 12 September 2025 Assessment period ends 17 October 2025 July contact information
Teaching staff:
Xueji Su (Subject Coordinator)
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