Outline

Overview

This unit provides an opportunity for students who are familiar with the basic institutions and processes of public international law to broaden and deepen their understanding by studying several international law topics of conceptual importance and contemporary relevance. It follows that a prerequisite is the unit LAWS1023 Public International Law or LAWS5005 Public International Law, or an equivalent unit undertaken at another institution. The topics covered by this unit are: (1) the relationship between international law and Australian law; (2) the law of treaties; (3) the international law of the sea; (4) international environmental law; (5) international law governing the polar regions; (6) the law of international organisations; and (7) systems of compliance and dispute settlement in international law.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	LAWS3408
Academic unit	Law
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	LAWS5108
Prerequisites ?	LAWS1023
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Tim Stephens, tim.stephens@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Take-home short release)	Final take-home examination Final take-home examination	60%	Formal exam period	2.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Research Essay outline Research outline (non-graded)	0%	Week 03 Due date: 15 Aug 2022 at 17:00	1 page
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Research Essay Essay	40%	Week 08 Due date: 19 Sep 2022 at 17:00 Closing date: 03 Oct 2022	3500 words
Outcomes assessed:
= Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

Research Essay (40%): 3,500 word (including discursive footnotes but excluding footnote numbers and citations) book review essay. The essay is due before 5pm on 19 September 2022. This task requires students to select a treatise on a topic or area of public international law and to write a review essay that assesses the value of the work and its significance for the contemporary study and practice of international law. Students may select a work from a list to be released by the unit coordinator on the canvas site at 9am on 1 August 2022, or a work of their own choice (subject to seeking the approval of the unit coordinator before 5 August 2022). The essay should take the form of a scholarly review which not only describes the feature of the book, and its main arguments and themes, but which also places the work in its broader context. It is suggested that students examine book reviews published in leading journals such as the Asian Journal of International Law and European Journal of International Law for guidance as to the conventional structure and approach when composing review essays.

Research Outline (Non-graded): Students will be required to submit a one-page outline for their review essay by 5pm on 15 August 2022. The outline should include an explanation of the connection between the work chosen for the review essay and the unit objectives. The submission of the outline by this date enables feedback on the initial research with respect to the review essay.

Final Take-Home Examination (60%): Compulsory 2.5 hour (plus 30 minutes reading time) take home examination during the examination period, with responses not to exceed 3,000 words (including discursive footnotes but excluding footnote numbers and citations). The examination will comprise a mixture of problem-based and essay questions. The examination may cover any material addressed throughout the entire unit.

Detailed information for each assessment may be found on Canvas.

A student must make a genuine attempt at all assessment tasks set out in this Unit of Study in order to obtain a Pass mark and grade (or above); otherwise an Absent Fail grade will be recorded as the student’s result for this Unit of Study.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Completely answers the question. Contains striking originality of approach or analysis. Demonstrates exhaustive or innovative research (where independent research required). Exceptionally well written, structured and expressed. Is otherwise exceptional in some way.
Distinction	75 - 84	Completely answers the question. Achieves a critical and evaluative approach to the issues. Content and structure is well organised in support of the argument. Demonstrates extensive research and analysis to support a well-documented argument. Generally well expressed and free from errors. Has a clear structure and is well articulated.
Credit	65 - 74	Covers main issues fairly well in answering the question. Contains no significant errors. Demonstrates an attempted critical approach to the issues. Demonstrates reasonably sound research and analysis in addressing the key issues. Has a clear structure and reasonably clear expression.
Pass	50 - 64	Identifies the key issues, but does not follow through with a reasoned argument. Contains some significant errors. Displays satisfactory engagement with the key issues. Offers a descriptive summary of material relevant to the question. Superficial use of material, and may display a tendency to paraphrase. Demonstrates little evidence of in-depth research or analysis. Adequate expression. Overall, demonstrates the minimum level of competence in the assessment and satisfies the requirements to proceed to higher-level studies in the degree or subject area.
Fail	0 - 49	Does not answer the question. Contains significant or numerous errors. Few or no identifiable arguments. Content that is inappropriate or irrelevant. Lack of research or analysis. Difficult or impossible to understand through poor grammar, expression or structure. Overall, does not demonstrate the minimum level of competence in the assessment.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The late submission of a piece of assessment, which has not been granted an extension, will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment per calendar day or part thereof. For example, a submission after 5pm but by 11:59pm on the due date for submission will attract a 10% penalty. A submission after midnight of the due date for submission will attract a 20% penalty. Penalties for late submission will be applied strictly, subject to a 5-minute grace period. Late penalties do not apply to take-home exams. Any submission after the deadline will not be accepted.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	International Law and Australian Law	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 01	International Law and Australian Law	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	Law of Treaties	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	Law of Treaties	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	International Law of the Sea	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	International Law of the Sea	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	International Law of the Sea	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	International Law of the Sea	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 05	Reading Week	Independent study (2 hr)
Week 05	Reading Week	Independent study (2 hr)
Week 06	Reading Week	Independent study (2 hr)
Week 06	Reading Week	Independent study (2 hr)
Week 07	International Environmental Law	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 07	International Environmental Law	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 08	International Environmental Law	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 08	International Environmental Law	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 09	Reading Week	Independent study (2 hr)
Week 09	Reading Week	Independent study (2 hr)
Week 10	International Law of the Polar Regions	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 10	International Law of the Polar Regions	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 11	International Organisations	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 11	International Organisations	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 12	Problem Question	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 12	Compliance and Dispute Settlement	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 13	Compliance and Dispute Settlement	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 13	Compliance and Dispute Settlement	Seminar (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: All students are required to attend 70% of classes (or as otherwise specified by the Unit Coordinator) to satisfy the pass requirements for each unit of study. Attendance requirements may be satisfied by in person and/or online attendance as per the delivery mode of the unit. Failure to meet this requirement may result in a student being precluded from sitting the final assessment.
Word count penalty: A piece of assessment which exceeds the prescribed word limit will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment for every 100 words, or part thereof. The total word count for essay and other written assessments will exclude: bibliography; footnote numbers; footnote citation; cover page and include: body text; headings and sub-headings; quotations; anything other than numbers and citations in footnotes.
Referencing: The Sydney Law School expects you to use the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th edition, 2018) for your footnoting style, although you should confirm this with your lecturer, and a link to the library website where this is set out comprehensively is available at https://libguides.library.usyd.edu.au/c.php?g=508212&p=3476376

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

The prescribed readings for the unit may be accessed via Canvas under ‘Reading List’.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate a sound understanding of the law of treaties
LO2. demonstrate a sound understanding of the relationship between international law and Australian law
LO3. demonstrate a sound understanding of the international law of the sea
LO4. demonstrate a sound understanding of international environmental law
LO5. demonstrate a sound understanding of the international law of the polar regions
LO6. demonstrate a sound understanding of the law of international organisations
LO7. demonstrate a sound understanding of compliance and dispute settlement in international law
LO8. demonstrate a sound understanding of methods of international law research
LO9. communicate your understanding of public international law in a clear and logical manner using plain and concise language
LO10. have a deeper understanding of the strengths and limitations of public international law as a legal system
LO11. demonstrate highly developed skills of international legal analysis and reasoning

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

LAWS3408: Advanced Public International Law

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect