Law School Module Details
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title PRINCIPLES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW
Code LAW353
Coordinator Dr RJ Knox
Law
R.Knox@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2017-18 Level 6 FHEQ First Semester 15

Aims

  • The module provides students with an in-depth specialist knowledge of the principles and structure of international law, with special emphasis on law-making processes;

  • Critical tools for an understanding of the interaction of political and legal factors in the conduct of international relations;

  • Ability to identify the law and apply it correctly to hypothetical scenarios informed by major doctrinal and policy concerns;

  • Ability to undertake independent research and reflect on today’s most debated theoretical and practical issue in the field;

  • Ability to construct coherent legal arguments orally and in writing;

  • Ability to interpret and evaluate international legal materials against the backdrop of multiple international, regional and domestic legal and policy frameworks.


    • Learning Outcomes

    A critical understanding and knowledge of the principles that form the basis of the law governing inter-state relations;

    An ability to identify complex international legal issues and problems including those suitable for further research   

    An ability to work effectively with all relevant primary and secondary international legal sources, including complex materials, and to inform and develop understanding of a given topic

    An awareness of the interaction of political and legal factors in the conduct of international relations 

    An ability to apply legal knowledge to complex situations including those involving doctrinal disputes over the theory and practice of international law, and to offer own reasoned views over such legal disputes

    An ability to construct coherent legal arguments orally and in writing

    An ability to undertake independent research, and to think critically about international legal issues

    An ability to interpret and evaluate international legal materials within the wider context of international relations and domestic practices 


    Syllabus
    1 

    Nature, history and basis of international law;

    Sources of international law: overview;

    Customary international law and the role of soft law

    Subjects of international law;

    Statehood and the role of recognition;

    State jurisdiction: principles and practice;

    State & diplomatic immunities;

    The International Court of Justice: established and emerging case law

    International law and domestic law

    [Please note that not all the above topics may necessarily be taught in any given semester.]

    Teaching and Learning Strategies

    Lecture -

    Each lecture addresses selected areas of international law and the basic principles underpinning them. Basic questions including the following:
    What is international law?
    Is international law really law?
    How did it develop as a body of rules separate from domestic law?
    What types of norms define the international legal order?
    What are the main international decision-making processes and who are the actors involved?
    What are the manifestations of state sovereignty and how do states exercise sovereignty from the perspective of international law and relations?
    How does international law affect domestic law? Or what is the status of international law within domestic legal orders?

    Tutorial -

    The seminars are designed to reflect on central areas of discourse covered in lectures. They include, for example, theories of international law, the sources of international law, recognition of states and governments, international legal personality, issues of jurisdiction, state and diplomatic immunities, the role of international courts, and the relationship between international law and domestic law.


    Teaching Schedule
      Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
    Study Hours 24

    		   5

    		       29
    Timetable (if known) Each lecture addresses selected areas of international law and the basic principles underpinning them. Basic questions including the following: What is international law? Is international law reall
          		  The seminars are designed to reflect on central areas of discourse covered in lectures. They include, for example, theories of international law, the sources of international law, recognition of state
          		       
    Private Study 121
    TOTAL HOURS 150

    Assessment
    EXAM Duration Timing
    (Semester)    		 % of
    final
    mark    		 Resit/resubmission
    opportunity    		 Penalty for late
    submission    		 Notes
                 
    CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
    (Semester)    		 % of
    final
    mark    		 Resit/resubmission
    opportunity    		 Penalty for late
    submission    		 Notes
    Coursework  4000 word  Semester 1  100  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 1 Notes (applying to all assessments) One Piece of Coursework 4,000 words  

    Recommended Texts
    Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
    Explanation of Reading List:

    Other Staff Teaching on this Module
     

    Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
     

    Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
    None  

    Co-requisite modules:
     

    Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on a required basis:
     

    Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on an optional basis:
    Programme:M100 Year:3 Programme:M103 Year:3 Programme:M102 Year:3 Programme:M108 Year:3 Programme:M106 Year:3 Programme:MZ04 Year:3 Programme:M101 Year:3 Programme:M105 Year:3 Programme:M107 Year:3 All final year Honours Select programmes

    Additional Programme Information