INTERNATIONAL LAW AND ORGANISATIONS
POL2IOL
2017
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
In an increasingly interdependent world, international law and international organisations are playing an important part in regulating human activity, both within and between states. In this subject students examine this trend, and its implications for the theory and practice of state sovereignty and international relations in a rapidly changing world. The trend is then considered with reference to developments in international law and organisations since 1945. Special attention is directed to the role of international organisations in conflict resolution, the laws of war, humanitarian law, international environmental law and the law of the sea, and refugee law. How effective is international law at regulating state and human behaviour? What role do international organisations play in the development and enforcement of international laws and norms? And how could international law and organisations more effectively regulate the excesses of sovereign states?
School: School of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Jasmine-Kim Westendorf
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 2 - UG
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: 15 credit points of any first year Politics subject and 15 credit points of any Humanities and Social Sciences subject, or subject coordinator's approval.
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: POL3ILO
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: Core-Choice subject at 2nd year level for the Bachelor of International Relations
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | International law: classic and contemporary readings | Recommended | Ku, C. and Diehl, P.F. (eds) | LYNNE RIENNER 1998 |
| Readings | International organizations | Recommended | Archer, C. | 3RD EDN. ROUTLEDGE 2001 |
| Readings | Understanding international law | Recommended | Henderson, C. W. | WILEY-BLACKWELL 2010 |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. To be able to critically analyse and report on the international political and security environment, with a sophisticated understanding of the roles, inter-relationship and function of international law and international organisations.
- Activities:
- Take-home exam, research essay, online exercises.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. To be able to develop complex and coherent arguments and analyses of the means by which international law is developed, implemented and challenged in the context of international organisations in a nuanced and critically engaged manner.
- Activities:
- Take-home exam, research essay, online exercises.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
03. To be able to participate meaningfully in discussions and debates on issues of contemporary policy relevance, and provide recommendations on policy directions.
- Activities:
- Weekly online group exercises
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
04. To be able to read and research critically on international law, international organisations and international relations.
- Activities:
- Take-home exam, research essay
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Melbourne, 2017, Semester 2, Blended
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Jasmine-Kim Westendorf
Class requirements
SeminarWeek: 31 - 43
One 3.0 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly online group exercises (equivalent to 800 words) | 20 | 01, 02, 03 | |
| one 2000-word research essay | 50 | 01, 02, 04 | |
| one 1200 word take-home examination | 30 | 01, 02, 04 |