INTERNATIONAL LAW WITH DEVELOPMENT

Title:

Global Architecture of Crisis, Conflict and Disaster Management

Code:

LWMCPA

Convenor:

DR Marie Aronsson-Storrier

Summary:

This module introduces students to the key concepts, legal principles, actors and institutions, which are central to addressing contemporary global challenges. It also introduces current global initiatives of law and policy relevance, such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, UN Paris Agreement on Climate Change 2015, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2015-2030. It explores possible definitions and parameters of core concepts and themes such as ‘crisis’, ‘conflict’, ‘disasters’, ‘sustainable development’, ‘disaster risk management’, and ‘climate justice'. It further identifies and examines legal regimes and the primary actors responsible for developing and promoting their legal principles of particular importance to contemporary global challenges.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 80%, Report 20%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Dissertation in International Law

Code:

LWMTDW

Convenor:

DR Andrea Miglionico

Summary:

Assessment Method:

Dissertation 100%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Contemporary Issues in Environmental Law

Code:

LWMENV

Convenor:

DR Mark Wilde

Summary:

This module is designed to provide in depth coverage of certain topical issues in environmental law. It is intended to be a freestanding module and does not depend upon existing knowledge of the subject. The module is of interest to law students on the LLM programme and students from other departments pursuing subjects related to environmental management and regulation. In terms of the syllabus the module addresses the complexity of the subject and weaves together certain threads. It commences by examining the nature and sources of environmental law and focuses on the multi-layered nature of the subject. To this end it looks at the relationship between domestic, European and international environmental law. In this respect an important issue over the next few years at least is likely to be the complications arising from ‘BREXIT.’ The module also considers the general approaches to environmental law and policy and identifies overarching principles and general themes. Having ‘set the scene’ the module then examines how environmental law deals with a number of the most pressing issues facing society today and looks at a number of substantive areas as ‘case studies’. This approach means that there is some flexibility in the syllabus and the substantive areas covered may change from time to time. However, there are likely to be some constants, not least of which is climate change.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Law of Armed Conflict (International Humanitarian Law)

Code:

LWMTAC

Convenor:

DR Lawrence Hill-Cawthorne

Summary:

«p»The law of armed conflict (LOAC) (also known as ‘international humanitarian law’) concerns a major substantive area of public international law (the ius in bello). It examines issues including the legal protections for injured or captured combatants and civilians, the rules as to how warfare is to be conducted, such as the prohibition of or restrictions on the use of certain weapons and rules on targeting, and the law of occupation. It also offers introductions into cutting-edge areas including displacement and complex emergencies in armed conflict. The module offers a unique insight into some of the most controversial and fundamental aspects of the modern international legal order and their manifestations in practice (such as the law applicable to so-called ‘modern’ conflicts between States and transnational non-State armed groups or the occupation of the Palestinian Territories). The module essentially asks how – in what manner – war must be fought in the modern world. This question is assessed through both abstract examination of the law and through detailed real world case studies. This module is designed to complement the LWMTUF International Law and the Use of Military Force module, which considers the rules of international law applicable to initial uses of military force in the international sphere, prior to an armed conflict emerging (the ius ad bellum). However, the modules can also be taken wholly independently.«/p»

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Legal Knowledge and Legal Writing

Code:

LWMRLK

Convenor:

PROF Aleardo Zanghellini

Summary:

This module aims to develop and enhance students’ writing skills in the discipline of law, and to develop their ability to critically analyse and evaluate the writing of others in the discipline.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

International Refugee Law

Code:

LWMIRL

Convenor:

DR Ruvi Ziegler

Summary:

This module explores a major area of public international law that regulates a (limited) exception to the principles of state sovereignty and migration control. The 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees concerns the protection of persons who have crossed an international border and are outside their state of origin owing to a well-founded fear of persecution in that state for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion. Global debates continue regarding the nature of the protection that refugees should be granted, the role of the international community, and the obligations of states of asylum. The module will provide students with a critical understanding of the international regime of refugee protection by highlighting its virtues and shortcomings. The first session will explore the history, structure, and aims of the 1951 Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. Subsequently, the module considers criteria for the attainment (‘inclusion’), exclusion from, and cessation of refugee status; the non-refoulement principle; complementary and subsidiary protection regimes; challenges arising in the context of displacement from conflict; and a case-study of the treatment of African asylum-seekers in Israel. The module concludes by appraising the limits of the international refugee protection.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Human Rights Law, Policy, and Practice

Code:

LWMHRL

Convenor:

DR Steve Samuel

Summary:

This module introduces students to foundational human rights concepts, principles, institutions, challenges, as well as developments. Specifically, it considers the existence and nature of different types of human rights (civil, political, economic, social, and cultural), as well as different categories of rights (absolute, limited, and qualified). These are illustrated through the examination of different ‘hard’ law human rights instruments, particularly the International Civil and Political Rights 1966, and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 1966 as well as diverse ‘soft’ law and policy instruments (eg the UN Declaration of Human  Rights 1948, the treaty bodies, and independent experts). The module examines examples of different types of rights, particularly those that are most commonly violated in such contexts as responding to security threats or emergency situations (eg the right to life, prohibition against torture, denial of liberty). Similarly, it considers significant challenges associated with the realisation of other human rights, notably resource challenges for poorer states seeking the ‘progressive realisation’ of rights such as food, water, shelter, and adequate healthcare. It examines too a number of currently topical and emerging issues, for example in relation to third generation rights, global capitalism, and disasters.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Introduction to International Law

Code:

LWMIIA

Convenor:

DR Lawrence Hill-Cawthorne

Summary:

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.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Research Methods for LLM Students

Code:

LWMTLM

Convenor:

PROF Aleardo Zanghellini

Summary:

Assessment Method:

Assignment 90%, Oral 10%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Research Methods

Code:

LWMTRM

Convenor:

PROF Aleardo Zanghellini

Summary:

Assessment Method:

Assignment 70%, Oral 30%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

The Use of Military Force

Code:

LWMTUM

Convenor:

PROF James Green

Summary:

The Use of Military Force explores a major area of public international law (the jus ad bellum) that deals with the military actions of states. It therefore examines the prohibition on the use of force in international law and the exceptions to that prohibition. As such, the module offers a unique insight into the some of the most controversial and fundamental aspects of the modern international legal order and their manifestations in practice (such as the 2003 Iraq intervention and the uses of force by states in the ongoing conflict in Syria). It analyses the successes and failures of that order in attempting to, as the UN Charter put it in 1945, ‘save succeeding generations from the scourge of war’. The module essentially asks when – under what circumstances – is the resort to military force lawful. This question is assessed through both abstract examination of the law and through detailed real world case studies.

This module is designed to complement the LWMTAC Law of Armed Conflict module, which considers the rules of international law applicable once a full blown armed conflict is underway (the jus in bello). However, the modules can also be taken wholly independently.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Theories and Practices of Development.

Code:

IDM095

Convenor:

DR Alex Arnall

Summary:

Explore contemporary theories and practices of international development. You will gain a broad and comprehensive understanding of the key ideas that have influenced efforts to reduce poverty and achieve social justice in low-income countries around the world.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Assignment 40%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Addressing Poverty and Inequality through Social Policy.

Code:

IDM096

Convenor:

DR Henny Osbahr

Summary:

Learn an International Development perspective about how social policy – at global, national, and local level – is formulated, translated into action and evaluated. Recognise how social policy reflects dynamic political interests or normative positions within an increasingly globalised, uncertain world. Topics also include social protection, new politics of distribution and rights-based approaches. Using sectors examples (e.g. urban, rural, health), country case studies, videos, and group debate achieves a deeper understanding and an opportunity to think critically about solutions. Social policy is essential to the promotion of poverty reduction, equity, rights and sustainable development and to the creation of resilient livelihoods.

Assessment Method:

Exam 100%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Gender and Development

Code:

IDM012

Convenor:

DR Sarah Cardey

Summary:

Examine how gendered roles and perspectives influence development outcomes. Explore the specific ways in which underdevelopment and the process of achieving greater social and economic security may be experienced differently by women and men. Evaluate theories and methods of analysing gendered aspects of development and learn how these may be used in policy formulation and project design. Learn through a combination of lectures, guided preparatory readings, and student-led group discussions.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 95%, Oral 5%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Title:

Food Security and Development

Code:

IDM077

Convenor:

DR Alex Arnall

Summary:

Basic food security remains a problem for millions of people in the developing world. Examine theoretical and methodological approaches to understanding food (in)security in the context of development. In addition to vulnerability and cause (e.g. climate change, health, population, trade, conflict), focus on how people and institutions manage risk in an uncertain world, e.g. by aid and humanitarian transfer, building  adaptive capacity into food systems, and integrated disaster risk reduction in development initiatives. Covering a wide geographical, historical, and thematic scope, using case examples, readings, discussion, and exercises, address current issues and discover tools central to understanding, assessing, and combating food insecurity. Understanding food systems in a post-covid-19 context is particularly important and will help those interested in learning about practice, policy and new ideas

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.