COURSE OVERVIEW:

The World is rapidly changing. Contemporary challenges facing the world in the 21^st Century is certainly not the same as that faced in the 16^th Century when Hugo Grotius, the so-called ‘Father of International Law.’ New challenges facing the world such as the changing conception of international personality and pressing issues such as, terrorism, internal conflicts, weapons of mass destruction and human rights has meant that international law has had to adapt to these new challenges.

AIM:

The primary aim of this module is to introduce students to international law and explore its development in an ever-changing world system. Ever Since the 20^th century, international law which was initially conceived as the law of nations has today expanded to also encompass rights and duties of international and transnational organizations, as well as individuals. Further, it has moved from a law regulating mainly western states to one regulating both western and non-western States. In addition, it has to deal with new challenges in the changing world. This module aims therefore to explore the impact of the changing world on certain traditional conceptions of international law.

Knowledge and Understanding

• Be familiar with some special terminology commonly associated with international law.

• Be able to describe the nature of international law and its interrelation with international relations.

• Demonstrate an awareness of certain peculiar characteristics of international law which distinguishes it from domestic law of aState.

• Analyse and evaluate the development of international law in an ever changing world.

• Identify and evaluate the economic, historical and cultural factors that have impacted the development of international law

• Display critical awareness of the impact of international law on global issues and the limitations of international law

The module will be delivered primarily through large and small group face-to-face sessions.  Digital learning activities may be included to support face-to-face delivery.  Full details on the delivery mode for this module will be available on Learning Central at the start of the module.

Generic Intellectual Skills:

• gather, organize and deploy evidence, data and information from a variety of secondary and some primary sources;
• identify, investigate, analyse, formulate and advocate solutions to problems;
• construct reasoned argument, synthesize relevant information and exercise critical judgement;
• reflect on their own learning and seek and make use of constructive feedback;
• manage their own learning self-critically.

Transferable Skills:

• Communicate ideas effectively and fluently, both orally and in writing;
• Use communication and information technologies for the retrieval and presentation of information;
• Work independently, demonstrating initiative, self-organisation and effective time management;
• Collaborate with others and contribute to the achievement of common goals;
• Develop techniques for self-reflection and improvement.

The module will be assessed by:

Essay  (45%)

Amicus Curiae (45%)

Seminar notes (10%)

If you fail the module, you will be required to resit failed/outstanding assessment components.  Resit assessments will be held in the Resit Examination period, prior to the start of the following academic session.  You will be notified of your eligibility to resit modules after the Examining Board in the Summer period.

The course is based around a series of lectures, seminars and workshops, and will include discussion around these themes:

• What is International Law?

• Is International Law really a Western conception?

• A Changing World – from Westphalia to the 21st Century

• Developing World and International Law

• Multiculturalism and International Law?

• Law-making and Sources of International Law in a changing world

• Subjects of International Law in a changing world

• War and International Law in a changing world

• Human Rights and International Law in a changing world

• The Ocean and International Law in a changing world

• Litigating international law disputes

• Professionals of international law/justice