1. To stimulate the academic and practical interest of students in an increasingly important and challenging area of law.

2. To encourage and develop analytical thinking.

3. To foster students' ability to create effective solutions to legally and factually complex problems.

4. To develop students' capacity to construct an effective argument, soundly based in critical analysis of the law

5. To cultivate a range of fundamental legal and transferable skills.

(LO1) Use and understand complex legal texts, case law, and academic writing to identify solutions for law and policy issues arising from the application of international investment law

(LO2) Develop a sound and critical understanding of the institutional and normative foundations of international investment law

(LO3) Critically appraise international investment law from the perspective of different groups of states, business interests and other stakeholders

(LO4) Critically evaluate the role and existing scope of investor-state dispute settlement, particularly in light of growing criticisms of free trade agreements such as TTIP and CETA.

(LO5) Demonstrate an ability to create and present arguments defending and/or criticising international investment law

(S1) Communication: influencing skills argumentation

(S2) Communication (oral, written and visual): Academic writing (inc. referencing skills)

(S3) Critical thinking and problem solving: Critical analysis

(S4) Critical thinking and problem solving: Problem identification

(S5) Working in groups and teams: Negotiation skills

The module will address key topics concerning international investment treaty law and investment dispute settlement. The topics to be covered during this module may include the following:   History and political economy of international investment law Who is protected? The notion of investment and investor What is discrimination? How the law protects businesses from discriminatory treatment by governments Protection of foreign investors' property rights: nationalisation, expropriation, and regulatory interference What is the fair and equitable treatment standard and how do businesses benefit from it The protection of investors' contractual rights The arbitration industry and business actors: an overview of investor-state arbitration Foreign investment and society: interplay between business and human rights, sustainable development, and environmental protection

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: Since the module will draw on a number of textbooks and articles, a module handbook with lecture outlines will be made available prior to the relevant sessions to facilitate the students engagement with the lectures. Lectures will focus on key topics within the syllabus, with particular emphasis on novel and complex legal issues. They are designed to provide the students with a detailed outline of the relevant law and legal issues, including details of key cases and principal legal and policy issues. Lectures will complement and elaborate on the material contained in the students' lecture notes and should therefore be attended. To make full use of lectures, the students should read handouts prior to the relevant lecture.
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: It is advised that students read recommended literature prior to attending lectures as this will enhance their learning experience and help them better understand the learning materials

Teaching Method 2 - Seminar
Description: Seminars are designed to enable students to consolidate knowledge gained during the lectures and to examine the issues covered in the module in sufficient detail. These issues will be discussed and debated, any particular problems or gaps in the knowledge identified and clarified, and feedback given to students to facilitate their learning progress. In preparation for the seminars, students will be given a list of essential reading usually including academic articles and book chapters, as well as primary legal materials such as treaty texts and caselaw.
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: Seminars will be focused on enhancing analytical and communication skills by adopting a problem-based learning method, as well as encouraging critical legal thinking in questioning efficacy and normative stances underpinning international investment law. There will be 3 seminars, each lasting 120 m inutes and expected to held in weeks 3, 6, and 9.

Teaching Method 3 - Online Discussions
Description: Students will be provided with online exercises both in preparation for seminars and by way of learning summary after seminars. These exercises will variously comprise short MCQ tests and self-assessment exercises on VITAL. Formative assessment will also involve an online activity in the form of a structured asynchronous discussion (using a blog or discussion board on VITAL) where students will be offered an opportunity to write a short essay on a given question and discuss it with peers (in groups of 10). The aim is to facilitate cooperative learning and embedding practical skills, such as structuring and presentation of a legal argument, responding to a criticism, and good debate techniques and etiquette.
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: This activity is designed to help deepen students' understanding of the subject and to help them to produce their best work for written assessment.
Unscheduled Directed Student Hours (time spent away from the timetabled sessions but directed by the teaching staff): 22

Teaching Method 4 - Formative Feedback (e.g. peer, revision sessions)
Description: Drop-in sessions "Planning Your Coursework"
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: Students will be offered 4 two-hourly drop in sessions to discuss their coursework plan. In week 11, two revision lectures will take place to discuss formative feedback and answer the questions students may have encountered during their revision/self-study sessions.