Students
POIR8570 – International Law in Global Politics
2025 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Umut Ozguc
|
|---|---|
| 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
International law is a critical area in International Relations theory and practice. This unit explores the connections between these fields. It introduces the principles, foundations and evolution of international law and applies these to global challenges in the 21st century. Students will analyse a range of issues such as the use of force, humanitarian international law, international human rights law, refugee protection, genocide and crimes against humanity, and the law of the sea. Overall, the unit provides students with critical knowledge of international law and its role in contemporary debates around global governance and international politics. |
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 international law
- ULO6: Demonstrate critical and creative thinking including identifying and organising relevant information to formulate persuasive, coherent and credible arguments
General Assessment Information
See Ilearn for details.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio Reflections | 10% | No | 01/06/2025 |
| Research Essay | 50% | No | 11/04/2025 |
| Policy report | 40% | No | 02/06/2025 |
Portfolio Reflections
Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 26 hours
Due: 01/06/2025
Weighting: 10%
Portfolio Reflections
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 international law
- Demonstrate critical and creative thinking including identifying and organising relevant information to formulate persuasive, coherent and credible arguments
Research Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 48 hours
Due: 11/04/2025
Weighting: 50%
2500 word 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 international law
- Demonstrate critical and creative thinking including identifying and organising relevant information to formulate persuasive, coherent and credible arguments
Policy report
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 02/06/2025
Weighting: 40%
2000 word report on a contemporary policy issue
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 international law
- Demonstrate critical and creative thinking including identifying and organising relevant information to formulate persuasive, coherent and credible 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
Required Readings
There is no set textbook in this unit. All required readings are set as 'required readings' on Leganto and Ilearn.
Technologies Used
This unit has an online presence in ilearn. Students will require reliable internet access and a computer.
Lectures and Tutorials are on campus.
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:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
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 connect.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.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
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:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, 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 2025.06 of the Handbook