Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2005-2006 (archived)

Module LAW2211: LAW OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

Department: LAW

LAW3141: LAW OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2005/06 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Public International Law (LAW2131), OR a suitable module from another Department.

Corequisites

  • Public International Law (LAW2131), if not already taken, or a suitable module taken from another Department

Excluded Combination of Modules

Aims

  • The creation of international institutions, most notably the United Nations, has given rise to important developments in areas such as the control of the use of force, human rights, and maritime territory and jurisdiction, in addition to the law of international institutions.
  • To enable students to understand the legal nature and consequences of these developments, and the obstacles to further achievements.

Content

  • The United Nations: legal basis, membership, structure.
  • Use of force and non-intervention, collective measures and peace-keeping.
  • The law of international institutions.
  • The law of armed conflict.
  • Human rights, maritime territory and jurisdiction
  • The Law on International Terrorism.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Students should be able to demonstrate a sound understanding of public international law as it affects the international community.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Students should be able to:
  • Apply the existing law to given factual scenarios and advise accordingly.
  • Analyse and evaluate the existing law in light of the legal social, political and moral questions raised.
  • Engage in informed debate concerning current proposals for reform.
Key Skills:
  • Students should be able to:
  • Develop writing and analytical skills.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Lectures are used primarily to impart knowledge - and also to suggest approaches to evaluation and critical analysis;
  • Tutorials will be used to develop and enhance students capacity for legal-problem solving in a particular factual situation, evaluative critical analysis and their appreciation of laws' linkage with broader fields of enquiry;
  • Assignments (formative) are used both to develop problem-solving skills, the ability to engage in sustained evaluation of proposed schemes of reforms, and the ability to evaluate the law in a critical and contextual way.
  • Summative assessment comprises one unseen examination of two hours fifteen minutes (including fifteen minutes reading time). Students are given a choice of questions to answer, but the paper is structured in such a way as to assess students on all the specific outcomes. In particular, students are required to answer both problem and essay type questions: the former primarily assessing knowledge and analysis of specific factual situations raising key legal issues; the latter primarily assess knowledge, evaluative capacity and an awareness of placing the analysis of law in wider contexts of enquiry.
  • Students will be supported and encouraged in the development of their research and writing skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 28 4/3 weeks 1 hour 28
Tutorials 6 1/3 weeks 1 hour 6
Preparation and Reading 166
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Examination 100% (two-and-one-quarter hour written examination - including 15 minutes reading but not writing-in-the-answer-book time 100%).

Formative Assessment:

2 essays, 1500 words max


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University