LLH472 Public International Law


To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.


Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:LLH472
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:LLH302. LLH302 can be studied in the same teaching period as LLH472.
Anti-requisite:LWB406
Coordinator:Bridget Lewis | b.lewis@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

As Australian legal practitioners can increasingly expect to work within a global context, an understanding of this area of law is important for all practitioners. A good understanding of public international law is also essential for anyone wishing to work with an international organisation. As an advanced law elective, Public International Law will develop advanced knowledge of how international law is created and develops, and how it is applied by governments, legislatures, courts and international agencies.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Analyse how public international law is created, implemented and enforced and how it influences the Australian legal system (Course Learning Outcomes 1.1, 1.4)
  2. Apply the rules of public international law to selected issues and contexts (CLOs 2.1, 2.3)
  3. Complete a research project, using the appropriate research methodology and selecting and appraising relevant primary and secondary sources (CLOs 3.1, 3.2, 3.3)
  4. Communicate analysis and reasoning effectively in written form (CLO 4.1).

Content

The content of this unit includes a range of topics relating to the fundamental principles of public international law and the way it is implemented and enforced. It addresses substantive areas including armed conflict, international criminal justice, sustainable development and human rights. It critically examines historical and contemporary understandings of public international law and its role in addressing global challenges.

Learning Approaches

This unit employs an active and collaborative approach to learning. It involves an online, self-led learning practice and weekly workshops where you will learn from experts and your peers. Prior to workshops, you will be supported and engaged in this unit through the delivery of recordings presented by experts and relevant real-world readings. You will participate in collaborative discussions that will explore a range of practical and theoretical perspectives.

Your participation in the unit will include:
• Independent engagement with online materials
including recordings and readings to assist with your understanding of substantive content and key concepts. 
• Weekly interactive workshops
 for you to engage in learning activities designed to enhance your application of legal principles, practice problem solving and interpretation with your peers and receive guidance and feedback from the lecturer. 
• Online Q&A sessions and a discussion board
to allow you to check your understanding of key concepts and receive input and feedback from your peers and from the teaching team.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback on the development of students' understanding of the content examined in this unit is provided through:
• the interactive workshops
• the online discussion board
• the feedback on your assessment
• the generic feedback placed on the unit's Canvas site, and
• the option of private consultation with a member of the teaching team during student consultation.

Assessment

Overview

To access the Law Faculty Assessment Information, see the Canvas site for this unit.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Research paper

Acting as an international legal policy officer, you will write a research paper aimed at publication in an international law journal addressing a current issue or question in international law.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 50
Length: 2500 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 8
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Assessment: Take-home exam

You will answer a number of questions designed to assess your understanding of international law and your ability to apply it to real-world problems. 

Weight: 50
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 13
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

The readings in this unit include the prescribed textbook as well as a range of primary and secondary sources.

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Anthony Cassimatis, Public International Law (Oxford University Press, 2021)

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no unusual risks in this unit.

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

LW36 Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

  1. The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
    Relates to: ULO1, Research paper, Take-home exam
  2. The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse and changing contexts
    Relates to: ULO1, Research paper, Take-home exam
  3. Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
    Relates to: ULO2, Research paper, Take-home exam
  4. Applying critical perspectives, including theoretical, technological, cultural and social perspectives, to evaluate law and policy
    Relates to: ULO2, Research paper, Take-home exam
  5. Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
    Relates to: ULO3, Research paper
  6. Selecting and applying appropriate research methods
    Relates to: ULO3, Research paper
  7. Planning and executing a research project and presenting findings and recommendations
    Relates to: ULO3, Research paper
  8. Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
    Relates to: ULO4, Research paper, Take-home exam

LW37 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry)

  1. The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
    Relates to: ULO1, Research paper, Take-home exam
  2. The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse and changing contexts
    Relates to: ULO1, Research paper, Take-home exam
  3. Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
    Relates to: ULO2, Research paper, Take-home exam
  4. Applying critical perspectives, including theoretical, technological, cultural and social perspectives, to evaluate law and policy
    Relates to: ULO2, Research paper, Take-home exam
  5. Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
    Relates to: ULO3, Research paper
  6. Selecting and applying appropriate research methods
    Relates to: ULO3, Research paper
  7. Planning and executing a research project and presenting findings and recommendations
    Relates to: ULO3, Research paper
  8. Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
    Relates to: ULO4, Research paper, Take-home exam