Unit rationale, description and aim
This level four unit contributes to the development of:
- advanced theoretical and technical knowledge in a specialist field of Law
- advanced, cognitive, technical and communication skills and the ability to apply these to complex legal problems
- advanced research and writing skills
This unit deals with the nature and content of public international law – the law governing the relationships between sovereign states and applying to the conventions and organizations established to regulate international affairs. The unit complements International Trade Law and International Human Rights Law which deal with particular aspects of international law and its regulation of international activity and human rights. By then end of the course students should have a basic understanding of both the subject areas covered and the way they operate in international (and to a lesser extent domestic) litigation settings.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Describe and critically evaluate the content and o...
Learning Outcome 01
Apply public international law to factual situatio...
Learning Outcome 02
Critically evaluate the content and operation of p...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
Topics will include:
· The nature of international law
· Sources of international law
· Law of treaties
· Cutomary international law
· International legal personality and sovereignty
· International state responsibility
· Use of force
· The peaceful settlement of international disputes
· International human rights law
· International environmental law
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment strategy is designed to assess knowledge, skills and understanding in a specialist area of law, and to develop advanced skills of legal analysis.
The assessment tasks for this unit are designed to demonstrate achievement of each of the learning outcomes listed.
International law approaches have been integrated into a scaffolded learning experience which begins with basic knowledge and culminates with sophisticated problem solving.
Overview of assessments
Participation: This assessment requires students ...
Participation: This assessment requires students to demonstrate their ability to communicate in a legal manner. Tasks may include legal writing, case analysis, group discussion.
20%
Research essay: students are required to demonstr...
Research essay: students are required to demonstrate their ability to research the assigned topic and critically evaluate the relevant legal systems and laws
40%
Examination: students are required to answer essa...
Examination: students are required to answer essay questions or hypothetical problems that will be based on the material presented in lectures and tutorials. Examination will be completed online via Canvas.
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Mode: Mixed. Lectures, tutorials, electronic consultation, library tasks and presentations or Online lectures and activities.
Duration: 3 hours per week over 12 weeks or equivalent. Students are expected to spend 150 hours in total for this unit.
This level four elective unit allows students to demonstrate knowledge, skills and understanding in a specialist area of law using advanced skills of legal analysis.
International Law requires intense problem-solving skills across multiple frameworks, including geographical and temporal. Confronting an ‘international problem’ often requires the application of specific international rules and across various international organisational settings; the cases are often complex and dependent on a knowledge of how previous cases were decided. The learning and teaching strategies employed (participation, essay, exam) will guide students through the labyrinth of decisions that need to be made to produce a ‘right answer’ – or at least a set of plausible answers which may be adopted by an international court, or organisation or arbitration tribunal.
The unit is designed to be delivered in weekly and online mode. It takes a blended learning approach to provide accessibility and flexibility to our students and a student-focused approach that increases depth of learning and engagement through actively utilising the online platform, Canvas. The assessment methods facilitate critical thinking and closer alignment with practice as an international lawyer providing opportunities to convey learning in written and oral form.