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UN Law and Practice (LAWS90249)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability(Quotas apply)
March
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The United Nations (UN) is probably the boldest experiment in international relations in the modern era. It is a body of critical importance in the international political and legal arena, particularly with respect to its primary purposes of maintaining international peace and security; maintaining friendly relations among nations; facilitating international cooperation and providing a centre for harmonising the actions of nations in achieving these common ends.

This subject aims to give students an understanding of the UN's role, structure and operation, from both a legal and a practical standpoint. To this end, the subject will examine the law and operation of the UN with reference to relevant case studies. These case studies will be used as examples to illustrate the successes and failures of the UN since its inception, and as a basis for examining the challenges that the UN may face in the future.

Principal topics will include:

  • The history and evolution of the UN
  • The structure of the UN
  • The law and practice of the General Assembly and Security Council
  • The role of the UN Secretary-General
  • The role of the UN in maintaining international peace and security

Intended learning outcomes

A student who has successfully completed this subject should be able to:

  • Examine and explain a range of UN documents including Security Council resolutions and Secretary-General reports
  • Analyse and interpret international jurisprudence dealing with the UN
  • Interrogate and evaluate the abilities of the UN to maintain international peace and security
  • Critically evaluate the extent to which the UN is accountable of its actions and omissions.

Generic skills

  • An advanced understanding of how the UN system functions – especially in the context of maintaining international peace and security
  • A detailed understanding of the legal framework that surrounds the UN
  • A sophisticated understanding of the key legal principles associated with UN law and practice
  • An understanding to independently identify and analyse some of the challenges facing the UN in the short and medium term.

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites


Corequisites


Non-allowed subjects


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: 31 January 2024

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Class participation

Throughout the teaching period10%

Class exercise

During the teaching period20%

Option 1: Take-home examination

  • 4000-5000 words
3 - 6 May 202470%

Option 2: Research paper

  • 4000-5000 words
15 May 202470%
Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance is required.Throughout the teaching periodN/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: 31 January 2024

Quotas apply to this subject

Dates & times

  • March
    Principal coordinatorBruce Oswald
    CoordinatorJann Kleffner
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours
    Total time commitment150 hours
    Pre teaching start date14 February 2024
    Pre teaching requirementsPlease 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 period13 March 2024 to 19 March 2024
    Last self-enrol date19 February 2024
    Census date14 March 2024
    Last date to withdraw without fail19 April 2024
    Assessment period ends15 May 2024

    March contact information

    Lecturers

    Bruce Oswald (Coordinator)
    Jann Kleffner

    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.

  • Links to additional information

    law.unimelb.edu.au

  • 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