Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2013-2014 (archived)

Module LAW3141: LAW OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

Department: Law

LAW3141: LAW OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2013/14 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Public International Law (LAW2131), OR, at the discretion of the Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies or delegate, a suitable module from another Department. The pre-requisite may be taken as a co-requisite.

Corequisites

  • Public International Law (LAW2131), if not already taken, OR, at the discretion of the Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies or delegate, a suitable module from another Department.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

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. The examination tests the ability to focus on relevant legal issues and organise knowledge and argument appropriate to questions raised. The examination questions will provide the means for students to demonstrate the acquisition of subject knowledge and the development of their problem-solving skills.
  • 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 20 Weekly 1 hour 20
Tutorials 4 Normally two in each of Michaelmas and Epiphany 1 hour 4
Staff office hours 28 Normally weekly during Michaelmas, Epiphany and Easter Terms 1 hour 28
Preparation and Reading 148
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Writen examination - including 15 minutes reading but not writing-in-the-answer-book time 2hrs 15mins 100%

Formative Assessment:

2 essay of 1,500 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