Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Associate Lecturer
Dr Shireen Daft
Contact via Email
W3A 541
TBA
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to JD or MIntEnvLaw or PGDipIntEnvLaw or PGCertIntEnvLaw or MIntTrdeComLaw or PGDipIntTrdeComLaw or PGCertIntTrdeComLaw or MIntRelMIntTrdeComLaw or MIntLawGovPubPol or LLM or MIntPubDip or GradDipIntRel or 42cp in LAW units at 400 or 500 level
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
International Law affords an understanding of legal principles, rules, norms, and practices. The unit analyses the contribution of these elements to the progressive development of international law. The theory is applied to contemporary international events and crises to test and evaluate its operational adequacy and effectiveness in keeping pace with the changing nature and shared expectation of the international community. The unit examines the ongoing transformation of the structure of international law in terms of its expanding frontiers, new actors, and reorientation to appreciate its continuing dynamism and relevance in the twenty-first century.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Due |
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Research Paper Proposal | 10% | 21 December 2015 |
Research Paper | 50% | 25 January 2016 |
Class Participation | 20% | Ongoing |
Class Panel Discussion | 20% | During Intensive |
Due: 21 December 2015
Weighting: 10%
You are required to develop and submit a research question and proposal for your research essay. The proposal must clearly set out the research question you are proposing to answer and the basic proposed approach to the question. It should include a draft structure of the paper (headings and subheadings in a table of contents format).
The proposal must clearly indicate what current issue you are intending to consider, why the issue is worthy of consideration, and the relevance of the analysis to the general principles of international law (including how the topic will address one of the 5 broad areas available for research). The proposal should not exceed 2 A4 pages.
Due: 25 January 2016
Weighting: 50%
Students are required to submit a research paper, based on the research paper proposal, that critically analyses a current issue or development in international law of special interest, that falls within the guidelines listed below. The maximum word limit for the research paper will be 3500 words, which will be strictly adhered to, and anything beyond 3500 words will not be read. Footnotes are excluded from the word count (but substantive text in footnotes will be counted).
Students will be assessed on their understanding, explanation and analysis of the legal issues presented, the depth of their research as well as their critical evaluation of the relevant issues. Research should extend beyond the prescribed books and course materials (the recommended books and journals provide a starting point for further research). Clarity of expression, presentation of argument, use of legal sources and correct and consistent reference style will also be taken into account. The paper should be appropriately structured, with sub-headings included, a clear introduction and conclusion, and a clear central thesis.
Students should choose a narrow topic of interest to them, but this topic should address the broader issues related to one of the following categories:
1. The Role of Non-State Actors in International Law
2. The Humanisation of International Law
3. The Intersection of Areas of International Law (eg the intersection of international humanitarian law and human rights law or the intersection of international criminal law and international environmental law)
4. The North-South Divide, and the challenges for developing countries under general international law
5. Theoretical Perspectives on International Law
If uncertain whether a desired topic of exploration adequately addresses any of these broad topics, please contact the convenor for advice.
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%
(a) Substantive requirements in relation to class participation
Students will be assessed on the basis of their knowledge, understanding and ability critically to evaluate the issues raised in each topic, as demonstrated through participation in class discussions and responses to assigned questions in the tutorials or oncampus session. Students will be expected to lead discussion on set tutorial questions. Students should generally be prepared to talk about the assigned readings, provide their own assessment of those readings and lecture content, and contribute to the discussion of questions and problems set in relation to assigned readings and lectures. Students are also encouraged to participate in discussions that extend beyond these set questions and readings through their own evaluation of the issues raised.
(b) Formal requirements in relation to class participation
Participation for this unit will constitute a mix of in class participation during the 3-day intensive session (attendance for all 3 days mandatory to meet this requirement) and online participation. Online participation will comprise a combination of answering online quizzes, participating in discussion forums with peers and in response to questions posted from teaching staff. It will be expected that each student contributes substantively to each topic of the unit in this online discussion. The deadline for online participation will be immediately prior to the 3 day intensive session.
Due: During Intensive
Weighting: 20%
Students will elect a chosen topic from those covered in the unit via ilearn. Each group of students will form a panel during the intensive (the schedule will be posted on ilearn) and be expected to answer questions on their chosen topic. In preparation students will need to familiarise themselves well with the required readings, to be able to discuss the topic in depth.
Students will be assessed on their communication skills, their understanding of the law and related issues, and their ability to respond to questions.
There are no lectures for this unit. This unit is delivered in two ways:
1) via online learning content that may include recorded material, readings, quizzes, discussions, online activities and links to external resources such as videos and blogs
2) a 3 day intensive session on campus, for face to face discussion of the topics canvassed throughout the unit. A schedule for the intensive will be posted on ilearn.
Required Readings
There is no required text for the unit, readings for each topic will be made available via ilearn and e-reserve. Students are expected to have read the required readings for each topic on a regular basis and apply these readings to their online discussion.
Recommended Readings
All students, but especially those with no prior experience with international law are strongly encourage to obtain (or find access to) one or more of the following books:
Other recommended readings per topic will be provided on ilearn.
All Unit requirements and a weekly teaching schedule are outlined in iLearn.
All assessments are to be submitted electronically via Turnitin.
The schedule of topics is outlined in the iLearn site for this unit, along with related activities for each topic.
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Additional Macquarie Law School Policies on Assessment
In the absence of a successful application for special consideration, any assessment task submitted after its published deadline will not be graded and will receive a mark of zero.
Word limits will be strictly applied and work above the word limit will not be marked. Footnotes are only to be used for referencing. Substantive material in footnotes will not be marked.
All assessments in the unit are to be submitted electronically. Plagiarism detection software is used in this unit.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
S3 LAW891 is being run differently to previous offerings. This unit does not presume international law knowledge, but is designed to be of use for students that have completed international law units previously. As such it will run as a series of case studies that draw out issues related to general international law.