LAWS6119 - Theories of International Law

Objectives

• Explore the role law plays in international affairs.
• Acquire an introduction to a range of theories and debates concerning the nature and function of international law.
• Examine the manner in which the various theoretical approaches studied inform current debates in international law and shed light on issues of contemporary concern.

Content

Governance of action and decision-making on the international plane; the role of violence in the contemporary international legal order; the principal agents, characteristics or forces that comprise the international legal order; the implications of thinking in terms of such an “order;” international law’s relationship to politics, history, society, religion, race, gender, class, identity and ethics.

Session

Semester 1 Intensive
Introduction: 7 May (5:00-6:00) then 15-16 & 22-23 May (9:00-5:00)

The timetable is subject to frequent changes. Please refer to the latest version of the Postgraduate Timetable.

Assessment

• 1 x 1,000-2,000 Word Critique of a Selected Reading (25%)
• 1 x 250 Word Research Essay Abstract and 1 x Page Reading List(10%)
• 1 x 5,000-6,000 Word Research Essay (65%)

Courses this unit is available in

Master of Laws | Graduate Diploma in Law | Master of International Law | Graduate Diploma in International Law