Students

LAWS2000 – International Law

2021 – Session 2, Special circumstances

Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update

The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.

This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.

Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Michelle Lim
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
60cp including LEX101 or LAWS1010 or LAW115 or LAWS1000
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit introduces public international law's key principles, rules, and concepts, examining how they shape contemporary international relations. It addresses the formation of international law, exploring particularly the processes of treaty negotiation and creation, and the development of customary international law. The unit explores the rights and responsibilities of states vis-a-vis each other, their own nationals and those of other states, the limits of state jurisdiction, state and diplomatic immunity, international dispute settlement, international use of force. The unit also examines the impact of international law on the Australian legal system. In covering these areas students explore how international law seeks to resolve real problems facing the international community.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge of the general characteristics and principles of public international law, and the ability to locate, interpret, and apply primary sources of international law.
  • ULO2: Examine the role, rights and responsibilities of both states and non-state actors under international law, and the ways in which the international legal system is evolving.
  • ULO3: Explain and apply international law to both actual and hypothetical situations as it relates to the rights and responsibilities of states vis-a-vis other states and international institutions.
  • ULO4: Analyse international law from the perspective of national interests, and collaborate with peers to negotiate the terms of an international treaty or other instrument.

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment Submission Penalty

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – 10 marks out of 100 credit will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted seven days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Class participation 15% No Ongoing
Research Essay 40% No 23:59 28/09/2021
Take-home assessment task 45% No During examination period

Class participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 13 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 15%

 

Participation in the weekly tutorials

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge of the general characteristics and principles of public international law, and the ability to locate, interpret, and apply primary sources of international law.
  • Examine the role, rights and responsibilities of both states and non-state actors under international law, and the ways in which the international legal system is evolving.
  • Explain and apply international law to both actual and hypothetical situations as it relates to the rights and responsibilities of states vis-a-vis other states and international institutions.
  • Analyse international law from the perspective of national interests, and collaborate with peers to negotiate the terms of an international treaty or other instrument.

Research Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 33 hours
Due: 23:59 28/09/2021
Weighting: 40%

 

Students will submit a research essay examining contemporary issues in international law

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge of the general characteristics and principles of public international law, and the ability to locate, interpret, and apply primary sources of international law.
  • Examine the role, rights and responsibilities of both states and non-state actors under international law, and the ways in which the international legal system is evolving.
  • Explain and apply international law to both actual and hypothetical situations as it relates to the rights and responsibilities of states vis-a-vis other states and international institutions.

Take-home assessment task

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 34 hours
Due: During examination period
Weighting: 45%

 

A timed assessment task covering the unit content

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge of the general characteristics and principles of public international law, and the ability to locate, interpret, and apply primary sources of international law.
  • Examine the role, rights and responsibilities of both states and non-state actors under international law, and the ways in which the international legal system is evolving.
  • Explain and apply international law to both actual and hypothetical situations as it relates to the rights and responsibilities of states vis-a-vis other states and international institutions.
  • Analyse international law from the perspective of national interests, and collaborate with peers to negotiate the terms of an international treaty or other instrument.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Textbook

James Crawford (2019) Brownlie's Principles of International Environmental Law

Additional resources will be provided on iLearn each week. 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Late Assessment Policy

Late Assessment Submission Penalty

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – 10 marks out of 100 credit will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted seven days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline.


Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook