Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Law School
This course introduces the institutions, rules and principles of Public International Law. It explores the history, theory and efficacy of the international legal system as well as the system's sources of law and its general rules and principles. It also introduces specific areas of international legal regulation.
The early 2000s saw increasing interdependence of entities (such as nation States, corporations and human beings) that are separated by national borders. More recently, the COVID pandemic and attempts to acquire territory by the aggressive use of military force have challenged assumptions upon which such interdependence was based. International law has long been used to ensure coexistence and cooperation amongst States separated by national borders. International law has also been used to achieve increasing levels of legal integration in certain parts of the world and between particular States. Since the end of the Second World War international law has also reflected a commitment to certain substantive values. As States and other entities struggle to maintain their commitment to these values in an interdependent world, international law is increasingly seen as critical to both the enjoyment of the benefits of increased interdependence and the avoidance of dangers inherent in the process.
The course aims to develop a critical and contextual understanding of the following:
- The nature and sources of international law (including the historical development and theoretical assessments of the discipline);
- Treaties under international law;
- The relationship between international law and Australian law and other municipal systems of law;
- States, intergovernmental organisations, natural and juridical persons as subjects of international law with rights (such as those recognised in treaties and rules of customary international law regarding the protection of human rights) and duties (such as those recognised in the law of State responsibility and the notion of individual criminal responsibility) under international law;
- International economic law;
- International law and the protection of the environment;
- International law of the sea, air and outer space; and
- The use of force under international law and the law of armed conflict.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
12 units LAWS courses
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
LAWS5154
Restrictions
LLB(Hons) and LLB(Hons) duals
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Terefe Gebreyesus
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
Teaching Mission Statement
The mission of the TC Beirne School of Law is to educate students in and about the law. We seek to assist you to think critically about the law and to investigate its structures, principles, policies, and values. This is achieved by engaging with you as fellow investigators in a range of critical and intellectual conversations about the law and its place in society. Our role is thus to guide you in your own intellectual journey in the law and to equip you with the necessary skills that will enable you to continue that journey long after you have left the School.
Course Aims
The aims of this course are that students be able to:ﾠ
- Identify, restate, explain and evaluate the rules and principles of international law in their institutional and broader social context; and
- Resolve or provide legally defensible solutions to problems arising from the application of the rules and principles of international law to a particular set of circumstances.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Undertake legal research in order to respond effectively to theoretical and practical questions involving rules and principles of international law;
LO2.
Resolve or provide legally defensible solutions (orally and in writing) to theoretical and/or practical questions arising from the application of the rules and principles of international law; and
LO3.
Identify, restate, explain and critically evaluate the most important approaches that are suggested by legal scholars when dealing with problems of international law.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay/ Critique |
Research Assignment
|
40% |
20/09/2024 2:00 pm |
| Examination |
End-of-semester Examination
|
60% |
End of Semester Exam Period 2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024 |
Assessment details
Research Assignment
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
20/09/2024 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
This component of the assessment is designed to test the ability of students to independently research and demonstrate (in writing) a critical understanding of a key area of international law.
The essay topic will be released at the time of the first lecture. There will be one essay topic only and students will not be permitted to select their own topics.
Word count and penalty for exceeding the word limit
The word limit for the assignment is 2000 words including all headings, quotations and prose in footnotes, but excluding formal references in footnotes, the bibliography (if included) and self-reflection checklist. Students are required to state, on the front page of their essays, the word count of their essays.
In cases where the Course Coordinator considers that a student may derive an unfair advantage over other students by exceeding the word limit the Course Coordinator will not assess material in excess of the prescribed essay word limit.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct Policy.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI tools.
Submission guidelines
Essays must be submitted electronically via the submission link on the course Blackboard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extension to Assessment Due Date
An extension for an assessment item due within the teaching period in which the course is offered will generally be limited to one week in the first instance. In exceptional circumstances, approved extensions may be granted for more than one week but will not exceed four weeks in total. Where a student is incapacitated for a period exceeding four weeks of the teaching period, they should be advised to apply for removal of course.
A student may apply for an extension to assessment due date if they are unable to meet an assessment deadline due to extenuating circumstances. Please refer to the Applying for an extension page on my.UQ for further details on acceptable reasons for an extension and for instructions on how to apply. Additional information on extensions can be found within the Assessment Procedure.
Spoken or written notification of difficulties with assessment deadlines to a course coordinator or the School does not constitute an authorised extension.
Applications to be submitted before the due date: Applications for extension (whether they be medical or exceptional circumstances) shall be made by the due date and time for the assessment. Requests for extensions received after the assessment item submission due date and time, must include evidence of the reason for the late request, and will require the decision maker listed in the Student Grievance Resolution Procedure to accept the request for consideration.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Penalties for Late Submission
The following penalties apply to late submission of an assessment item, assuming that an extension has not been approved, and that late submission is academically possible (e.g., it does not delay feedback to a cohort, or interfere with course delivery).
First 7 periods of 24 hours (or part thereof) - 10% per 24 hours of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item. For example, a report worth a maximum of 40 marks, submitted 28 hours late will attract a penalty of 8 marks, calculated as 2 periods of 24 hours x 10% x 40 marks.
More than 7 periods of 24 hours - 100%.
End-of-semester Examination
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 60%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
Any written or printed material is permitted in the exam; it may also be annotated. The examination will consist of problems and/or essay questions. The examination will be of 120 minutes duration. The perusal time will be 10 minutes. Students will be required to answer two from four questions.
The examination will be designed to test knowledge and understanding of relevant international law rules and principles and the ability to apply such knowledge and understanding:
- to given sets of facts; and/or
- in consideration of essay questions.
The principal focus of the end-of-semester examination will be on material that was not the subject of detailed consideration in the research assignment. Due to the foundational nature of the introductory material, however, it is impossible to avoid some overlap and students will be required to apply their knowledge and understanding of the introductory topics in the final examination.
Any issues regarding the administration, timetabling and non attendance at final examinations need to be directed to the University of Queensland Examinations Section. These issues are not the responsibility of the individual Course Coordinator.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct Policy.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Open Book examination |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 19 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 47 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 48 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
All research assignment are to be electronically submitted via Blackboard. The instructions for submission are in the Online Submission Folder in your course Blackboard site. The online submission is in addition to any other submission requirements that appear in this ECP.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Lecture |
Lectures The programme for lectures and tutorials is set out in the course Blackboard site (Learn.UQ). The lecture topics are:
Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: