Outline

Overview

This unit provides an introduction to public international law. Its purpose is to ensure that students have a thorough understanding of the core principles and problems of, and contemporary issues in, international law. The unit covers the following topics: nature and scope of public international law, sources of public international law, international legal personality, the law of treaties, how title to territory is acquired, state jurisdiction in international law, immunity from jurisdiction, state responsibility for international wrongs, dispute settlement, and the legality of the use of force.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	LAWS6243
Academic unit	Law
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	LAWS1023 or LAWS5005
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Alison Pert, alison.pert@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Two research essay drafts Submission of two essay drafts (non-graded)	0%	Ongoing	1500wd (Draft 1) and 3000wd (Draft 2)
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Research essay (50%) Written	50%	Week 09 Due date: 17 Apr 2023 at 23:59 Closing date: 08 May 2023	5,000 words / 6 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Research essay log (non-graded) Research essay log must be submitted with the final essay	0%	Week 09 Due date: 17 Apr 2023 at 23:59 Closing date: 08 May 2023	6 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Supervised exam ?	Exam (50%) In-person exam of 2.5 hours (plus 30 minutes reading time)	50%	Week 12 Due date: 08 May 2023 at 12:30	2.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Research essay (50%): A 5000-word research essay which is designed to demonstrate a detailed and critical analysis of the chosen topic. The assessment task will further the objectives of the unit by developing a student’s ability to conduct research in an area of international law and develop a coherent argument or set of arguments that are written clearly and persuasively in a balanced and scholarly manner. One or more essay topics will be released to students on Canvas on or before 4 March 2023 and the assessment is due on 17 April 2023 at 23.59 (Sydney, Australia time)

Research essay drafts: Once you start writing your essay, you must submit whatever you have written at around 1500 words and again at around 3000 words. You must retain copies of these drafts.

Research essay log: The final essay must be accompanied by a research log, including a record of all the materials referred to in your essay, and when and where you found them. Detailed instructions will be included with the essay topic(s).

Word Limit Penalty: An essay 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 will exclude all footnotes and the bibliography.

Use of editors or proof-readers: The use of assistance in preparing and editing assessment tasks in this unit of study is strictly prohibited. Assistance includes human and automated writing tools (not including spell checking). The use of translation software is permitted provided that the student acknowledges the use of such software in accordance with Academic Honesty Procedures and identifies the software used.

The outcome of a grant of a special consideration application may include an alternative task, at the discretion of the Unit Coordinator.

Final exam (50%): The exam will be a supervised exam on campus, on 8 May at 12.30pm (Sydney, Australia time). The exam will comprise one problem-style question. The exam will be in “pen and paper” form, meaning that it will be hand-written. No computers or other electronic devices (such as mobile phone, laptops, electronic dictionaries etc) are permitted. The exam is otherwise “open book”, meaning that you can bring hard copy notes and books into the exam room.

You will have 2.5 hours writing time plus 30 minutes reading time to prepare your response to the question. All materials and topics from the unit are examinable.

Students who are granted special consideration in respect of this item of assessment will be allocated a replacement exam. The outcome of a successful Special Consideration application for a replacement examination is a second replacement examination or a viva voce, at the discretion of the Unit Coordinator.

Oral interview: At the discretion of the Unit Coordinator, this will be an individual interview to discuss the content of any written work.

Assessment requirement to pass a unit of study: 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 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	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 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:

The late submission of a piece of assessment, without an approved extension, will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment per 24 hours or part thereof, after the due time on the due date. For example, a submission after 23.59 on the due date but before the same time the following day will attract a 10% penalty. Late penalties do not apply to exams and tests and any late submission 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
Multiple weeks	1. Development, nature and scope of international law; 2. Introduction to the United Nations; 3. Sources of international law; 4. Relationship between international law and domestic law	Seminar (8 hr)
	1. Personality, statehood, recognition; 2. Title to territory; 3. The law of treaties;	Seminar (8 hr)
	1. State jurisdiction; 2. Immunity from jurisdiction: diplomatic immunity; 3. Immunity from jurisdiction: state immunity; 4. The law of state responsibility	Seminar (8 hr)
	1. Diplomatic protection; 2. The law on the use of force; 3. Settlement of disputes	Seminar (8 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 attendance as specified by the Unit Coordinator. Failure to meet this requirement may result in a student being precluded from sitting the final assessment. 

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

Please refer to the Reading List in Canvas. The prescribed textbook is:

James Crawford, Brownlie’s Principles of Public International Law (OUP, 9th ed, 2019)
- this is available online through the University Library

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 critical thinking and analysis skills
LO2. analyse complex fact situations involving issues of public international law, to identify those issues, and to apply relevant legal principles to the problem
LO3. undertake postgraduate-level legal research on issues of public international law, to distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate sources and authorities, and to use those sources and authorities without violating the rules on academic integrity
LO4. write in a clear and logical manner, using plain and concise language and appropriate referencing, on issues of public international law.

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.

Changes to assessments and readings have been made since this unit was last offered.

Additional information

Resources - Sydney Law students

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

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

LAWS6243: International Law I

Semester 1a, 2023 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect