Students

POIR8570 – International Law and Global Governance

2023 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer
Umut Ozguc
umut.ozguc@mq.edu.au
Room 255, Level 2, 25B Wally's Walk
Email to make an appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MIntRel or MSecStrategicStud or MCrim or MIntell or MCyberSecAnalysis or MCTerrorism or MPPP or MPASR or GradCertPPP or PGDipIntRel or GradDipIntRel or MIntPubDip.
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit examines why international law and global governance institutions have increasingly become instruments of choice for states as they attempt to solve common problems and express common values. Difficult questions will be addressed, including: is international law really law? Can the use of force between states really be constrained by either law or institutions? Can an impartial international court exist in the absence of a world government? Can states collectively agree on rules that accommodate divergent interests in areas such as climate change, world trade and international crime? Are powerful states above the law? To answer these questions, we first explore the sources of international law, the nature of international law and institutions, the historical and political context in which they have developed, and the role of law and global governance institutions in core theories of international relations. We then look at substantive issue areas including the use of force and the UN collective security system; terrorism; international crimes; international trade; and international environmental institutions. Finally, we examine the impact of unequal power relations on international law and global governance institutions as well as the problem of legitimacy.

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: Reflect upon and analyse the ethical, political and cultural context which informs and influences the operation of international law and institutions.
  • ULO2: Understand and critically evaluate the theoretical approaches to international law and international relations within the IR discipline and to reflect upon the role of power on the formation and effective operation of international law.
  • ULO3: Formulate and defend policy recommendations on important issues regarding international law and institutions.
  • ULO4: Apply skills required to conduct independent research and analysis.
  • ULO5: Understand fundamental rules and concepts on: the nature and sources of international law; international law with respect to the use of force, terrorism, war, international crimes, the sea, international trade and the environment; the historical development of international law; and the specific core charters, functions, decision-making and dispute settlement procedures and processes of international organisations with responsibility for collective security, world trade, the environment, and the prosecution of international crimes.
  • ULO6: Communicate effectively in both written work and oral presentations. This involves being able to identify and organise relevant information and to formulate persuasive, coherent and critical arguments.

General Assessment Information

 

* For details of all assessments please see the unit site on ilearn. 

*Late Assessment Submission Penalty 

 

 

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic. 

 

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Mid-Semester Test 20% No 29/03/2023 - 31/03/2023
Research Essay 40% No 05/05/2023 11:55pm
Final Examination online 30% No 29/05/2023- 02/06/2023
Tutorial Participation 10% No Ongoing

Mid-Semester Test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 16 hours
Due: 29/03/2023 - 31/03/2023
Weighting: 20%

 

Mid-Semester Test

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Reflect upon and analyse the ethical, political and cultural context which informs and influences the operation of international law and institutions.
  • Understand fundamental rules and concepts on: the nature and sources of international law; international law with respect to the use of force, terrorism, war, international crimes, the sea, international trade and the environment; the historical development of international law; and the specific core charters, functions, decision-making and dispute settlement procedures and processes of international organisations with responsibility for collective security, world trade, the environment, and the prosecution of international crimes.

Research Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 31 hours
Due: 05/05/2023 11:55pm
Weighting: 40%

 

Research Essay

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Reflect upon and analyse the ethical, political and cultural context which informs and influences the operation of international law and institutions.
  • Understand and critically evaluate the theoretical approaches to international law and international relations within the IR discipline and to reflect upon the role of power on the formation and effective operation of international law.
  • Formulate and defend policy recommendations on important issues regarding international law and institutions.
  • Apply skills required to conduct independent research and analysis.
  • Understand fundamental rules and concepts on: the nature and sources of international law; international law with respect to the use of force, terrorism, war, international crimes, the sea, international trade and the environment; the historical development of international law; and the specific core charters, functions, decision-making and dispute settlement procedures and processes of international organisations with responsibility for collective security, world trade, the environment, and the prosecution of international crimes.
  • Communicate effectively in both written work and oral presentations. This involves being able to identify and organise relevant information and to formulate persuasive, coherent and critical arguments.

Final Examination online

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 31 hours
Due: 29/05/2023- 02/06/2023
Weighting: 30%

 

Final Examination online

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Reflect upon and analyse the ethical, political and cultural context which informs and influences the operation of international law and institutions.
  • Understand and critically evaluate the theoretical approaches to international law and international relations within the IR discipline and to reflect upon the role of power on the formation and effective operation of international law.
  • Understand fundamental rules and concepts on: the nature and sources of international law; international law with respect to the use of force, terrorism, war, international crimes, the sea, international trade and the environment; the historical development of international law; and the specific core charters, functions, decision-making and dispute settlement procedures and processes of international organisations with responsibility for collective security, world trade, the environment, and the prosecution of international crimes.
  • Communicate effectively in both written work and oral presentations. This involves being able to identify and organise relevant information and to formulate persuasive, coherent and critical arguments.

Tutorial Participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%

 

In class tutorial participation will be assessed. Details will be provided on ilearn. Zoom classes may be offered depending on university Covid safe policy at the time the unit is taught.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Reflect upon and analyse the ethical, political and cultural context which informs and influences the operation of international law and institutions.
  • Understand and critically evaluate the theoretical approaches to international law and international relations within the IR discipline and to reflect upon the role of power on the formation and effective operation of international law.
  • Formulate and defend policy recommendations on important issues regarding international law and institutions.
  • Understand fundamental rules and concepts on: the nature and sources of international law; international law with respect to the use of force, terrorism, war, international crimes, the sea, international trade and the environment; the historical development of international law; and the specific core charters, functions, decision-making and dispute settlement procedures and processes of international organisations with responsibility for collective security, world trade, the environment, and the prosecution of international crimes.
  • Communicate effectively in both written work and oral presentations. This involves being able to identify and organise relevant information and to formulate persuasive, coherent and critical arguments.

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

* There is no text book for this unit. Please see the unit site on ilearn for weekly required and further readings. 

Unit Schedule

PRT 1: Key concepts, actors and sources of international law

 

 

Week 1

Introduction: International Law, Global Governance and International Politics 

 

Week 2

Thinking International Law Differently: Traditional theories and critical approaches

 

Week 3

The Evolution of International Law

 

Week 4

States and International Organisations

 

Week 5

Sources of International Law and Politics of Multilateral Treaties

 

Week 6

The Mid-Semester Test (Questions will be released on the unit site on the 29th March, 2023 at 10 am, the deadline for answers is the 31st March, 2023 11:55pm)

 

PART 2: International Law and Global Challenges in the 21st Century

 

Week 6

International Law and Use of Force

Essay Writing Workshop

Week 7

International Humanitarian Law 

 

 

10 April -24 April

Break

Week 8

No lectures and tutorials this week – Public Holiday

 

Week 9

International Law and Human Rights

 

Week 9

Essays Due – 5th May, 2023 11:55pm ( Questions are on the unit site) 

Week 10

International Criminal Law: Genocide as the crime of all crimes

Week 11

International Law and Refugee Protection

 

Week 12

The law of the sea

 

Week 13

Conclusions: International Law, Multipolar World and Global Governance in the 21st century

 

Week 13

Final Exam:  Questions will be released on the unit site on the 29th May , 2023 at 10 am, deadline for answers is the 2nd June 2023 11:55pm.

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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

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

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

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

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Unit information based on version 2023.01R of the Handbook