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International Law and Relations (LAWS70455)
Graduate coursework level 7Points: 12.5Not available in 2023
From Semester 1, 2023 our undergraduate programs will be delivered on campus. Graduate programs will mainly be delivered on campus, with dual-delivery and online options available to a select number of subjects within some programs.
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
Overview
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This subject will place international law in the context of the practice of international relations and, in particular, international diplomacy. The subject will introduce students to leading accounts of international law’s role in global political life while showing, too, how the international legal order intersects with and constitutes the practice of international diplomacy. It will be taught by Gerry Simpson, Chair of International Law at the London School of Economics, and Robyn Eckersley, Professor at the University of Melbourne's School of Social and Political Sciences.
Principal topics include:
- Treaty design, negotiation and implementation
- Use of international courts and organisations
- Politics and international law
- The history of international law in diplomatic practice
- Techniques of diplomacy and law
- Problems of diplomacy and law.
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject will:
- Understand how international law operates in the shadow of global political life and in the framework of international diplomatic practice
- Be conversant in theories of compliance and accounts of legal politics
- Acquire skills in the techniques of international diplomacy
- Possess an advanced, detailed, and integrated understanding of the legal structures and processes of international diplomatic life
- Be able to situate the Council in a history of Great Power management
- Have the cognitive and technical skills to generate critical and creative ideas relating to the workings of the diplomatic order and to critically evaluate, with creativity and autonomy, existing legal theories about its operation
- Have the cognitive and technical skills to independently examine, research and analyse existing and emerging legal issues relating to diplomatic practice
- Have the communication skills to clearly articulate and convey complex information about the relationship between international law and international relations to relevant specialist and non-specialist audiences
- Be able to demonstrate autonomy, expert judgment and responsibility as a practitioner and student in the field of international law generally and in relation to diplomatic practice more particularly.
Last updated: 24 January 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
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: 24 January 2023
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Option 1: Take-home examination
| 24 - 27 April | 100% |
Option 2: Research paper on a topic approved by the subject coordinator
| 10 June | 100% |
| Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance | 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: 24 January 2023
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
Not available in 2023
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: 24 January 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Specialist materials will be made available free of charge from Melbourne Law School prior to the pre-teaching period.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies Course Graduate Diploma in International Law Course Master of Laws Course Master of Law and Development Course Master of Public and International Law - 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.
- 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: 24 January 2023