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Unit of study_

LAWS6167: International Law II

Intensive September, 2020 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study consolidates and builds upon knowledge gained in LAWS6243 International Law I. The relationship between international law and domestic law is explored in depth, both in a comparative perspective and with reference to the impact of international law on Australian law and legal institutions. The unit also addresses specialist topics not covered, or only briefly covered, in LAWS6243 International Law I, which may include a more detailed examination of the limits of state jurisdiction, the role of the individual in international law, international human rights, and the right of states to respond to international wrongs. Other topics of current interest in public international law will also be examined, with students given an appreciation of the role and relevance of international law in major events in contemporary international affairs.

Unit details and rules

Unit code LAWS6167
Academic unit Law
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

LAWS6243

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Alison Pert, alison.pert@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Oral interview
At the lecturer's discretion, interview to discuss submitted work
0% Ongoing 20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Research essay
Research essay
50% Week 08
Due date: 21 Sep 2020 at 16:00
4,000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Assignment
Assignment
40% Week 09
Due date: 05 Oct 2020 at 09:00
3,000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Participation Class participation
Students will be expected to participate in class discussions
10% Weekly weekly
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Research essay: students are expected to undertake their own research and write a 4,000-word essay on one of several topics to be advised 
  • Assignment: this will be a shorter essay of 3,000 words, to be written over a weekend. Extensive independent research will not be necessary; students will be expected to have read the prescribed materials and the essay will be on a topic that enables them to reflect on the course content
  • Class participation: this unit is designed to encourage students to think about international law, rather than just learn it (they are assumed to have done that already).  It is taken more slowly than some content-driven units, to allow for discussion and reflection. For that reason it is essential that everyone joins in, as far as they feel able; a class participation element signals how important this is to the success of the course
  • Oral interview: this is a measure to combat what is sadly an increasing occurrence, “contract cheating” ie getting someone else to write the student’s essay. It will only be required in rare circumstances, when the lecturer suspects this. If required, it will be an individual interview to discuss the content of the written work, in an attempt to establish if it is the student’s own work or not 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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 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.
  • Demonstrates the minimum level of competence and satisfies the requirements to proceed to higher-level studies.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

 

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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:

A late penalty of 5% per day or part thereof for written work will apply in accordance with the Assessment Procedures 2011.

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.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Ongoing Sources of international law: some evolving issues Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Relationship between international law and domestic law: a comparative perspective Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Relationship between international law and domestic law: Australia Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Relationship between international law and domestic law: implementation in Australia Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Relationship between international law and domestic courts: immunities, act of state doctrine Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
The individual in international law: an overview Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
The individual in international law: international criminal law Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
The International Court of Justice and other methods of international dispute settlement Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Issues of state responsibility: admissibility of claims Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Lawful responses to international wrongs: countermeasures, sanctions Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
International organisations Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
International law and legal theory - an overview Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Current issues: the responsibility to protect Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Please refer to Canvas.

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

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

  • Malcolm D Evans, International Law (Oxford University Press, 5th ed, 2018).

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.

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

  • LO1. demonstrate a deeper understanding of the ways in which public international law is created, implemented and enforced by national legal systems and international institutions
  • LO2. demonstrate a deeper understanding of international legal theory and the international law-making process
  • LO3. understand how domestic courts are empowered and constrained from addressing disputes involving matters of international law
  • LO4. demonstrate a sound knowledge of the substantive legal rules and principles in each of the specific topic areas
  • LO5. demonstrate greater familiarity with the methods of international law research.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

Response to feedback provided within 2 weeks

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.