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International Law (LAWS70173)
Graduate coursework level 7Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville) and Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
February
Lecturers
Associate Professor Andrew Sanger (on-campus Coordinator)
Christopher Gevers (online Coordinator)
Email: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352), International: +(61 3) 9035 5511
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au
March
Lecturer
Associate Professor Jarrod Hepburn (Coordinator)
Email: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352), International: +(61 3) 9035 5511
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au
April
Lecturers
Gerry Simpson (Coordinator)
Email: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352), International: +(61 3) 9035 5511
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au
July
Lecturer
Carrie McDougall (Coordinator)
Email: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352), International: +(61 3) 9035 5511
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au
Overview
| Availability(Quotas apply) | February - Dual-Delivery March - On Campus April - On Campus July - On Campus |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject is an introduction to the foundational 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 key 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 in order to consider how international law works in shaping and dealing with a range of issues such as dispute settlement, jurisdiction and immunities, and the use of force. Contemporary examples will be used to enrich student learning. 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, statehood and sovereignty
- Jurisdiction of states and jurisdictional immunities
- The responsibility of states for violations of international law
- Peaceful settlement of disputes and the functions of the International Court of Justice
- Regulation of the use of force in international relations (jus ad bellum)
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: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into a relevant Melbourne Law Masters program
Corequisites
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Class participation | During the teaching period | 10% |
Take-home examination
| February offering: 19 - 22 April 2024 | March offering: 3 - 6 May 2024 | April Offering: 31 May - 3 June | July offering: 20 - 23 September 2024 | 90% |
| Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance is required. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- February - Dual-Delivery
Principal coordinators Christopher Gevers and Andrew Sanger Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours Note, there is an online and an on-campus offering of this subject Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 31 January 2024 Pre teaching requirements Please refer to the Reading Guide on the LMS subject page for confirmation of which resources need to be read and what other preparation is required before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 28 February 2024 to 5 March 2024 Last self-enrol date 5 February 2024 Census date 29 February 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 March 2024 Assessment period ends 22 April 2024 February contact information
Lecturers
Associate Professor Andrew Sanger (on-campus Coordinator)
Christopher Gevers (online Coordinator)Email: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352), International: +(61 3) 9035 5511
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au - March - On Campus
Principal coordinator Jarrod Hepburn Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 21 February 2024 Pre teaching requirements Please refer to the Reading Guide on the LMS subject page for confirmation of which resources need to be read and what other preparation is required before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 20 March 2024 to 26 March 2024 Last self-enrol date 26 February 2024 Census date 21 March 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 April 2024 Assessment period ends 6 May 2024 March contact information
Lecturer
Associate Professor Jarrod Hepburn (Coordinator)
Email: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352), International: +(61 3) 9035 5511
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au - April - On Campus
Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 6 March 2024 Pre teaching requirements Please refer to the Reading Guide on the LMS subject page for confirmation of which resources need to be read and what other preparation is required before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 3 April 2024 to 9 April 2024 Last self-enrol date 11 March 2024 Census date 4 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 3 June 2024 April contact information
Lecturers
Gerry Simpson (Coordinator)
Email: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352), International: +(61 3) 9035 5511
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au - July - On Campus
Principal coordinator Carrie McDougall Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 3 July 2024 Pre teaching requirements Please refer to the Reading Guide on the LMS subject page for confirmation of which resources need to be read and what other preparation is required before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 31 July 2024 to 6 August 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 July 2024 Census date 1 August 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 30 August 2024 Assessment period ends 23 September 2024 July contact information
Lecturer
Carrie McDougall (Coordinator)
Email: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352), International: +(61 3) 9035 5511
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au
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
This subject has a quota of 30 students.
Enrolment is on a 'first in' basis. Waitlists are maintained for subjects that are fully subscribed.
Students should note priority of waitlisted 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.
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: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Specialist materials will be made available via the LMS in 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-masters@unimelb.edu.au for subject coordinator approval.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 31 January 2024