LWMCIL-Contemporary Issues in International Law

Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Students must be registered on the LLM Advanced Legal Studies, LLM International Law, or LLM Human Rights, or on another LLM programme with permission of the Director of Postgraduate Taught Programmes. Permission will generally be granted to students who have some background study or experience in international law or politics. Permission may be granted to other students.
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Alex Gilder
Email: a.f.gilder@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Contemporary Issues in International Law will enable students to investigate both macro-level issues of how the international legal system addresses crises such as insecurity or climate change and micro-level practical case studies where students are able to appreciate international law in action. Not focusing on specific branches of international law, the content on this module evolves year on year to cover contemporary ‘flashpoints’ and reflect teaching staff expertise. Topics could include a range of issues such as insecurity, cyberspace, global health, sustainable development, and transitional justice. The module will offer interdisciplinary perspectives, key case studies that are relevant to current global challenges, and coverage of the contemporary ‘big questions’ in international law.

Aims:

Contemporary Issues in International Law offers students the opportunity to examine a number of key areas where international law is being challenged by - or is adapting in an attempt to meet the challenges of - the modern world. The module aims to convey substantive and theoretical understandings of the aspects of international law covered. At the same time, students are encouraged to interact with highly political questions on a legal level and question not just what the law is, but what the law should be, with regard to the controversial ‘flashpoints’ studied. The aim is to increase students’ awareness of the challenges that face the implementation of international law as well as concerns from outside the discipline. Students will benefit from both interdisciplinary perspectives and case studies of how international law, and the relevant political machinery, operates in practice. This module is intended to complement LWMIIA (Introduction to International Law).

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of the module, students will be expected to be able to:

• Demonstrate both a substantive and a theoretical understanding of the aspects of international law covered


• Identify the legal context and framework of the contemporary issues covered


• Analyse contemporary questions of international relations and politics by using tools of legal research developed in the preparation of seminars, written assignment and class discussion

Additional outcomes:

In addition to those listed in the School’s "core skills statement", the module will encourage the development of:

• High-level oral communication skills through reflective, analytical class-discussion


• High-level writing skills through close and critical analysis of both primary and secondary source material


• An ability to apply theoretical and contextual knowledge to practical problems that face people working in the field

Outline content:

The module provides an in-depth exposition of ten topics which traditionally are not examined in detail in core international law modules, but which are all crucial issues at the current time. Teaching staff will provide unique perspectives on issues of global concern. Topics may include macro-level discussions of how the international legal system addresses issues such as insecurity or climate change and micro-level practical case studies where students are able to appreciate international in action. Topics may include: the place of human security in the international legal system, international law’s responses to cyberspace, the maintenance of international peace and security by the UN, case studies on transitional justice in practice, the role of international law in global health, internal and cross-border displacement, fundamental rights and the international legal obligations of business, and interlinkages between the international economic system and sustainable development. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Teaching in this module is designed to provide students with a range of resources on which they can draw in their learning. The main elements are:

• A list of required and recommended readings, with notes and questions that will be used to guide class discussion and reflection.


• Ten weekly seminar classes of 2 hours each.  


• Assessed work that will be used to develop students’ skills and knowledge.


• An electronic discussion board will be available for students enrolled in this module.

Where there are Faculty seminars relevant to the area then students in the module will be encouraged to attend and given the opportunity to discuss the issues with visiting academic presenters.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars		20
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		50
Wider reading (directed)		60
Preparation for seminars		20
Preparation of practical report		20
Essay preparation		30
Total hours by term	0	200	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	60
Report	40

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

• 1 assessed essay of 9 pages (formatted in accordance with the School of Law’s Assessed Work Rules) (60%).


• 1 assessed report of 6 pages in which students provide advice to a state or organisation in response to a contemporary problem scenario (40%)

 

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy “Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes”, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• 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 five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

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

Assessment requirements for a pass:

50% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

See School of Law PGT Programme Handbook.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:

2) Specialist equipment or materials:

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:

4) Printing and binding:

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 30 March 2023