LW2FIL-Foundations of International Law

Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Steve Samuel
Email: s.samuel@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is designed to introduce students to international law and the international legal system. It teaches the key foundational aspects of that system, such as the way in which international law is created (with a particular focus on treaties and customary international law), the subjects of the international legal system (the states of the world, but also international organisations, individuals and others), international dispute settlement mechanisms, and how states are found responsible for breaches of international law.  It also gives students the opportunity to engage with the process of international law-making, through an interactive treaty negotiation exercise.

Aims:

The module aims to expose students to the foundational ‘building blocks’ of international law. It will provide both a descriptive account of international law and the international legal system, as well as ensuring that students are given the tools to begin to analyse and critique of the key features of that system. The module provides a starting point to give students core knowledge applicable to more specialised optional Part F modules in international law and to underpin the work on later international law projects, such as a dissertation in the subject.  However, it also aim to acts to provide a holistic account of the core features of international law if taken in isolation.

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of the module, students will be expected to be able to:

 

• Demonstrate a substantive knowledge of the foundational aspects of international law and how it functions.


• Debate and critique the relative merits and demerits of the international legal system and the processes of international law.


• Demonstrate an ability to engage with the processes of the international legal system, in an interact ive group treaty negotiation exercise and be able to reflect on this process and link it to substantive knowledge of treaty-making.

Additional outcomes:

Those skills listed in the School of Law's ‘Core Skills Statement’.

Outline content:

The module will usually cover topics such as:

• Introducing International Law and the International Legal System


• The Relationship between International Law and Domestic Law


• The Sources of International Law


• The Subjects of International Law


• Territory


• State Responsibility


• Jurisdiction


• The Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes

Global context:

The field of international law necessarily is entirely about the global context.  This module engages law and a legal system that applies to every country in the world, and engages almost any aspect of human society in every region of the world.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will be taught by way of 20 hours of lectures (in 1 hour or 2 hour blocks), spread across the Autumn and Spring Terms.  The lectures will be interspersed with 4 x 2 hour seminars (two in each term), for which students are expected to prepare by undertaking specific readings and preparing questions for discussion.  In addition, in the Autumn Term, students take part in a 2 hour group treaty negotiation exercise (practical class), led by the tutor.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	11	9
Seminars	4	4
Practicals classes and workshops	2
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	10	10
Wider reading (directed)	25	25
Exam revision/preparation			15
Preparation for seminars	4	4
Preparation of practical report	7
Completion of formative assessment tasks	10	10
Essay preparation	25	25
Total hours by term	98	87	15
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	40
Written assignment including essay	40
Report	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

• One 1.5 hour examination paper counting for 40% of the marks. Two questions to be answered from a selection of questions.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

• One 3-page report on the in-class treaty negotiation exercise formatted in accordance with the rules set out in the Law School Guide (programme assessment) counting for 20% of the marks. The report will combine 1) a reflective review of the exercise (e.g., the student’s own participation, team dynamics, the approach taken to negotiating the treaty and reflecting on outcomes and their desirability); and 2) a brief substantive commentary on the legal requirements and processes for treaty creation, and how this was reflected in the exercise.

 

• One 5-page assessed essay formatted in accordance with the rules set out in the Law School Guide (programme assessment) counting for 40% of the marks.

Formative assessment methods:

• One 4-page non-assessed essay formatted in accordance with the rules set out in the Law School Guide (programme assessment).

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

See School Guide (Programme Assessment). Only a failed element need be re-taken; the mark for a passed element can be carried forward. Reassessment may take the form of:

1. A re-examination,


2. A resubmission of the essay on a new question; and/or


3. The resubmission of the report on the practical exercise, as improved by feedback from first submission.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 14 October 2021