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International Law and Geopolitics (LAWS90023)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
April
Lecturer
Professor Matthew Craven (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) | April |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject will examine the ways in which geopolitical concepts and arguments relate to various fields of international law, and the way in which they are given expression in legal doctrines, principles and practice. Together we will explore the way in which geopolitical contests, such as those associated with the Cold War, have led to the formation of ‘international frontiers’ in both geographical and disciplinary terms. We will explore examples of these contests, and examine their effects on international legal doctrines (such as the use of force, intervention, sovereignty and statehood), and on the formation of new legal regimes (such as the deep sea bed, and the law of outer space).
The purpose of this subject is to offer a contextual reading of the role of international law in both resisting and giving expression to the geopolitical dimensions of the long history of contestation over material and spiritual values in the world today.
Principal topics include:
- An introduction to the ‘science’ of geopolitics and its relationship to international law.
- An analysis of the relationship between geopolitical frontiers and national borders, and their constitution in international law
- A study of the emergence and effects of such geopolitical frontiers in the following fields of international law:
- Statehood and self-determination (especially ‘divided’ states)
- Borders and frontiers (including land and maritime borders, armistice lines and spheres of influence)
- The use of force, intervention and regional security
- The Law of the Sea and the regime of the deep sea bed
- The Law of Outer Space
- An examination of various ‘case studies’ such as the status of Taiwan and North Korea, the conflict in Ukraine, contestation over the South China Seas, and current proposals for the exploitation of the resources of the deep sea bed and outer space
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject should be able to:
- analyse and evaluate the historical development of geopolitical thought, including key theories and their impact on the evolution of international law.
- identify and assess the primary geopolitical themes, such as imperialism, nationalism, and models of global governance, and their specific expressions within various international legal regimes.
- construct well-structured, coherent, and persuasive written legal arguments that critically evaluate the legitimacy or illegitimacy of specific geopolitical arrangements, drawing on relevant international legal principles and precedents
- participate in informed debates on contemporary geopolitical issues by demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between geopolitics and international law, and by effectively utilising legal language and concepts to articulate and defend viewpoints..
Generic skills
This subject contributes to the following generic skills:
- Show competence in the critical analysis of texts, both legal and non-legal, including an awareness of the critical importance of literary context;
- Show competence in the ability to apply legal knowledge to factual circumstances;
- Show an ability to relate different fields of knowledge to one another (eg. law, politics, geography);
- Be able to develop persuasive arguments both orally and in writing supported by relevant evidence.
Last updated: 29 February 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into a relevant Melbourne Law Masters program
AND
All students must have completed an introductory course in international law.
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 Melbourne Law Masters welcomes applications from students with disabilities. The inherent academic requirements for study in the Melbourne Law Masters are:
- The ability to attend a minimum of 75% of classes and actively engage in the analysis and critique of complex materials and debate;
- The ability to read, analyse and comprehend complex written legal materials and complex interdisciplinary materials;
- The ability to clearly and independently communicate in writing a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and to critically evaluate these;
- The ability to clearly and independently communicate orally a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and critically evaluate these;
- The ability to work independently and as a part of a group;
- The ability to present orally and in writing legal analysis to a professional standard.
Students who feel their disability will inhibit them from meeting these inherent academic requirements are encouraged to contact Student Equity and Disability Support.
Last updated: 29 February 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Class participation (in the form of a blog post contribution
| Throughout the teaching period | 10% |
Annotated bibliography
| End of the teaching period | 30% |
Research paper on topic approved by the subject coordinator
| 5 June 2024 | 60% |
Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance is required. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 29 February 2024
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- April
Principal coordinator Matthew Craven 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 10 May 2024 Assessment period ends 5 June 2024 April contact information
Lecturer
Professor Matthew Craven (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: 29 February 2024
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 Master of Laws Course Master of Public and International Law Course Graduate Diploma in International Law Course Graduate Diploma in Government 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: 29 February 2024