Newcastle University

Pre Requisite Comment

n/a

Co Requisite Comment

n/a

Aims

This module aims to provide an introduction to public international law.
•       To acquire knowledge and understanding of the nature of the international legal system, as well as its function, rules, and procedures.
•       To consider contemporary debates on the role and scope of International Law.
•       To develop further critical and analytical skills in International Law.

Outline Of Syllabus

Issues examined both doctrinally and through critical approaches include:
• Nature, sources, and subjects of International Law
• The law of treaties
• The United Nations
• The international system for the peaceful settlement of international disputes
• The use of force
• Jurisdiction and immunities
• The international responsibility of States for internationally wrongful acts

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of this module, students should be able to:
•       Show knowledge and understanding of International Law, its rules and processes and the way in which they relate to each other;
•       Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of specific issues in International Law as well as contemporary debates on International Law;
•       Discuss and critically evaluate International Law, including its role and scope within contemporary debates.

Intended Skill Outcomes

•
•       Ability to write and speak with care and precision in the analysis and synthesis of International Law;
•       Ability to identify issues for research and to retrieve accurate and relevant legal norms, case-law, and literature;
•       Ability to structure argument and analysis, using the interpretative methods of International Law;

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures: to provide an overview of the background and main principles of international law

Small group teaching: these are in the form of one-hour seminars, they will provide an opportunity to develop further analytical and critique skills. The seminars will include things such as presentations, debate propositions, and group work. These components will provide space for discussion on international law as well as formative practice opportunities ahead of the summative assessment. All seminars will be synchronous events (whether online or present-in-person).

Drop-in hours: these drop-in style sessions will provide students with an opportunity to ask a member of the teaching team questions about the module and substantive questions about the content.

Structured non-synchronous online lecture materials: alongside the lecture materials, students will be directed towards relevant online materials and prompted to answer questions and reflect.

Independent study: alongside seminar handouts, students will be directed towards cases or academic articles and will be asked a series of reflective questions; this will further develop their understanding of the areas and provide an opportunity to practice critical analysis of the sources being read.

Assessment preparation and completion: as the summative assessment is a 24 hour exam, students will need sufficient time to undertake independent research and to prepare for their assessment.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The summative exam will give students the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their ability to understand the operation of international law, and present coherent arguments supported by appropriate legal basis as well as academic literature. The exam allows students to demonstrate learning outcomes across a broad range of topics within the syllabus.

The formative will allow students to test their understanding of the course to date and practice writing answers to international law questions.

General Notes

N/A