Module LAW41130: Advanced Issues in International Economic Law

Department: Law

LAW41130: Advanced Issues in International Economic Law

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• Provide an overview of important global economic institutions.
• To consider some of the issues which confront these institutions such as: international monetary regulations, international development law, the influence of politics and the environment.

Content

• Introduction to the history and development of international economic law, the various global institutions and the nature of the issues which international economic law deals with including economic sovereignty. An examination of several theories connected with economic law, such as the developing world perspective, realism and feminism.
• An overview of the international monetary system including an examination of the International Monetary Fund.
• An examination of international development law, including the workings of the World Bank.
• Consideration of dispute settlement procedures. This would include an examination of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and the International Court of Justice.
• Discussion of the interaction of politics and international economic law through an examination of the sanctions regime of the United Nations and the global regulations of environmental law.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the historical and current development of international economic law;
• Know and understand the main institutions involved in regulating international economic law;
• Students will have knowledge of the key issues which currently face economic law;
• Students will have gained an understanding of the interplay between the various global institutions and how they operate together;
• Students will be able to demonstrate an appreciation of the importance of practical matters such as politics in relation to global economic law.

• Students will be able to identify the global economic institutions and be able to evaluate their current value and any proposed reforms.

• Students should be able to undertake independent and in-depth research regarding global institutions, particularly the use of institutional documents.

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

• This will take place mainly through lectures and seminars. The use of seminars recognises the advanced nature of this course and will allow students to utilise knowledge that they have already gained either through the course itself or through set preliminary reading for each topic. It will also enable the student to discuss issues in class and to develop their discursive and persuasive skills.
• The e-learning tools available such as DUO will be used to enhance the course outside of core seminar hours. This would include using the wiki application to build a website containing information, discussions and ideas brought forward by both the lecturer and the students themselves. This will aid in the development of the students’ research and written skills.
• The summative assessment will be in the form of an essay on an area of international economic law which the students will independently research and analyse.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Optional essay or problem question, E-learning environment in DUO, Wikis.

■ 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