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LAW-40040 - Module Specification
School of Law
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2021/22 Last Updated: 16 February 2022

LAW-40040 - Foundations of International Law
Coordinator: Emma L Allen Room: CBC2.014 Tel: +44 1782 7 34512
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 7
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733218

Programme/Approved Electives for 2021/22

Human Rights, Globalisation and Justice (Level 4)
Human Rights, Globalisation and Justice (Level 4)
Law and Society (Level 4)
Law and Society (Level 4)


Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

First or second class honours degree in Law or a related discipline (such as criminology, history, politics or sociology) or appropriate professional qualifications and/or experience

Barred Combinations

N/A

Description for 2021/22

This foundational module in public international law is intended to provide students with a general understanding of the structure of the international legal system and the basic principles underlying the relations between states, international organisations and other actors in the international sphere. It offers an opportunity to look beyond the domestic and examine how law governs important aspects of international relations. An overview will be provided of the sources, subjects and general principles of international law, but more specific themes will also be introduced. These include the law governing the use of force and the resolution of international disputes.

Aims
The aim of this module is to equip students with the foundational knowledge required to undertake the study of international law at postgraduate level. They will examine the basic concepts and practices which form the foundation of public international law.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate an understanding of international law as a legal system distinct from national legal systems: 1,2
Demonstrate knowledge of substantive areas of international law studied within the module: 1,2
Identify and explain the various successes and shortcomings of international law: 1,2
Locate and use primary and secondary international law materials: 1,2
Make written presentations on international law which are clear and logically structured: 1
Analyse international disputes in terms of applicable legal rules and propose arguable solutions: 2

Study hours

Lectures: 10 hours
Seminars: 10 hours (weekly sessions)
Introduction and Revision Sessions: 2 hours
Seminar Preparation: 60 hours
Weekly Assignments: 20 hours
Exam Preparation: 48 hours

School Rules

N/A

Description of Module Assessment

1: Online Tasks weighted 50%
Weekly Online Assignments
Each week, students will be asked to complete an online assignment based on the micro-lectures and readings made available. They will be expected to demonstrate a clear understanding of the issues raised. An overall mark will be given across the range of weekly assignments so as to take account of progress and engagement throughout the semester. There will be 10 weekly assignments in total, each of which should be approximately 250 words. The overall word limit is 2,500 words.

2: Open Book Examination weighted 50%
24-Hour Online Open Book Exam
The online open book exam will require students to write a legal memo on the international law issues raised in a fictitious scenario. They will be given 24 hours to complete the exam and to submit it electronically. The word limit is 1500 words.

Please note that for the 2021/22 Academic Year all programmes will be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there will be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 16 February 2022