LWMITL: Introduction to International Law

Module code: LWMITL

Module provider: School of Law

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Double Presentation: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Professor Marko Milanovic, email: m.milanovic@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Introduction to International Law teaches the basics of international law succinctly, but to an advanced level. The module is designed to provide a starting point for students entering the LLM programme who do not already have a background in international law. The module covers the key features of the international legal system, such as the nature of the international law, treaties and other sources of international law, the subjects of the international legal system, dispute settlement and the establishment of state responsibility.  It also gives students the opportunity to put some of the mechanisms of the international legal system into practice, through interactive group exercises. 

This module is taught twice to two different cohorts of students, one in the Autumn term and one in the Spring term.  The contact hours are listed for the first iteration of teaching in the Autumn term and these same contact hours are repeated for the second iteration of teaching in the Spring term. 

The module aims to expose students to the core ‘building blocks’ of international law.  As this is an introductory module, unlike most taught postgraduate modules, it largely is taught through a short series of targeted lectures. It aims to provide both a descriptive account of international law as well as offering students the elements to begin analysis and critique of the key features of the system. The module provides a starting point to give students core knowledge applicable to more specialised taught postgraduate modules in international law and to underpin the work on their dissertation. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Demonstrate a substantive knowledge of international law gained through lectures and independent reading. 
2. Debate the relative merits of legal claims made by states and other international legal actors. 
3. Demonstrate an ability to engage with the processes of the international legal system, through interactive group exercises. 

Module content

The module will cover topics such as: 

• What is International Law 
• The Sources of International Law, including the Law of Treaties 
• The Subjects of International Law  
• State Responsibility 
• The Peaceful Settlement of Disputes 
• The Law of the Sea 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will be taught by 22 hours of small-group seminars and 8 hours of blended activity. 

This module is taught twice to two different cohorts of students - first in Semester 1 and then repeated in Semester 2. The 200 contact hours are listed for the first iteration of teaching in Semester 1, and these same contact hours are repeated for the second iteration of teaching in Semester 2.

Study hours

At least 22 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Optional non-assessed essay plan, 2 pages 

Reassessment

Additional costs