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Unit of Study LAW00521 - International Law (2020)

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Unit Snapshot

Unit description

Introduces the basic concepts of public international law which regulate relations between nations. Examines the nature, origins, structure, functions, sources and subjects of international law. These issues are examined in respect of political and social context. Emphasis is placed upon examining Australian foreign policy and upon international legal questions that particularly relevant for Australia.

Unit content

Topic 1 The nature of the international legal system 
Topic 2 Sources of international law 
Topic 3 Law of treaties 
Topic 4 International law and national law 
Topic 5 Personality and recognition 
Topic 6 State responsibility 
Topic 7 International environmental law 
Topic 8 Sovereignty over territory 
Topic 9 The use of force and collective security 
Topic 10 Peaceful settlement of international disputes

Availabilities

Location Domestic International
Online
Session2
Session2

Learning outcomes and graduate attributes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
Learning outcome count Learning outcome description GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 describe the structure, institutions, principles, theories and sources of international law.
2 evaluate the nature and functions of the international legal system in contrast to domestic law, and the relationship between the international and national legal systems.
3 identify and apply international legal principles that relate to a number of areas of international law, such as international personality, sovereignty over territory, state responsibility, the use of force and international environmental law
4 identify and analyse the workings of the United Nations system and its role in dispute resolution, particularly the International Court of Justice.
5 critically analyse and present the outcome of research in a selected area of International Law.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. describe the structure, institutions, principles, theories and sources of international law.
    • GA4:
  2. evaluate the nature and functions of the international legal system in contrast to domestic law, and the relationship between the international and national legal systems.
    • GA4:
  3. identify and apply international legal principles that relate to a number of areas of international law, such as international personality, sovereignty over territory, state responsibility, the use of force and international environmental law
    • GA2:
    • GA4:
  4. identify and analyse the workings of the United Nations system and its role in dispute resolution, particularly the International Court of Justice.
    • GA4:
  5. critically analyse and present the outcome of research in a selected area of International Law.
    • GA4:
    • GA6:

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts
  • No prescribed texts.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.