LWMTLE-International Economic Law

Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2018/9

Module Convenor: Dr Andrea Miglionico

Email: pr909131@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This module examines the role of the principal institutions and structures of international economic law. The focus is mainly on the WTO, even though other institutions 􀀖 such as the IMF and the World Bank 􀀖 will also be studied. More specifically, this module will examine the overall intellectual and theoretical bases of these institutions, presenting theories of liberalism and discussing the efficacy of free market systems, the historical reasons for their genesis, the implicit economic justifications for their functions and their legal/regulatory structures. Attention will also be devoted to regional trade arrangements, with a focus in the EU, and on the relationship between international economic law with other sectors of international law, such as human rights law and environmental treaties.

Aims:
The module is designed to:
- promote an understanding of the operations of international economic law.
- promote an awareness of key structures, legal and policy issues of the principal multilateral institutions.
- offer an understanding of the underlying economic and legal concepts determining policy by key international institutions

Assessable learning outcomes:
On completion of the module, students will be expected to be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge of the key institutions/ structures, principles and concepts of international economic law and their relevance to international economic relations;
- identify the relevant sources of international economic law and their relationship to domestic legal systems;
- demonstrate a clear understanding and critical appreciation of the legal, economic and political issues involved in structures of global economic governance;
- carry out competent and independent research into some aspects of the law relating to international regulatory institutions;
- present and communicate their research findings effectively;
- consider and critically assess the different approaches to the problems and issues raised and, where appropriate, to review critically the relationship of law to economics in this area.

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;
- Advanced critical reading skills in relation to primary and/or secondary sources;
- 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:
This module will cover issues, such as:

1. Core concepts/principles and issues of International Economic Law;
2. The international monetary system (IMF) and the World Bank;
3. International Trade law: The WTO (GATT, GATS, TRIPS);
4. Regional Trade Agreements;
5. Climate Change and Energy Governance.

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. • 6 two-hour seminars in the Spring term. Seminars are discussion based classes. Assessed work that will be used to develop students' skills and knowledge. Optional non-assessed work that will be used to develop students’ skills and knowledge. Indicative Reading List Main books: • Lowenfeld, A. International Economic Law, 2nd ed. (Oxford University Press, 2008). • Van Den Bossche, P., The Law and Policy of the World Trade Organization Text, Cases and Materials (3rd ed., Cambridge University Press, 2013). • S. Lester, B. Mercurio, R. Davies, World Trade Law. Texts, Materials and Commentary, 2nd ed., Hart Publishing 2012. Additional books: • Cottier, Thomas (ed) The Prospects of International Trade Regulation (Cambridge University Press, 2011). • Guzman, Andrew T. and Joost H.B. Pauwelyn, International Trade Law (2nd edn, Wolters Kluver, 2012). • Hoekman, B. and M. Kostecki, The Political Economy of the World Trading System. From GATT to WTO (3rd edn, Oxford University Press, 2009). • Jackson, J. H., The World Trading System: Law and Policy of International Economic Relations (Cambridge, MA, MIT, 1997). • Jackson, J. H., W. J. Davey, et al., Legal Problems of International Economic Relations. Case, Materials and Text on the National and International Regulation of Transnational Economic Relations (5th edn, St Paul, Minnesota, West Group, 2008). • Lester, Simon and Bryan Mercurio, World Trade Law, Text, Materials and Commentary (Hart, 2008). • Matsushita, M., P. Mavroidis and T. J. Schoenbaum, The World Trade Organization: Law, Practice and Policy (2nd edn, Oxford University Press, 2006). • Trebilcock, M. and R. Howse, The Regulation of International Trade (4th edn, Routledge, 2012). • Leal-Arcas, R. et al. International Energy Governance: Selected Legal Issues, Edward Elgar, 2014. • Leal-Arcas, R. Climate Change and International Trade, Edward Elgar, 2013. • Leal-Arcas, R. International Trade and Investment Law: Multilateral, Regional and Bilateral Governance, Edward Elgar, 2010. • Cottier, T., Nartova, O., & Bigdeli, S. (eds.) International Trade Regulation and the Mitigation of Climate Change, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009. • Pauwelyn, J. (ed.) Global Challenges at the Intersection of Trade, Energy and the Environment, Geneva: Centre for Trade and Economic Integration, 2010. • Hufbauer, G., Charnovitz, S. & Kim, J. Global Warming and the World Trading System, Washington, DC: Peterson Institute for International Economics, 2009. • Audley, J. Green Politics and Global Trade: NAFTA and the Future of Environmental Politics, Georgetown University Press, 1997. • Esty, D. Greening the GATT: Trade, Environment, and the Future, Institute for International Economics, 1994. • Sampson, G. & Chambers, W. (eds.) Trade, Environment, and the Millennium, United Nations Press, 2000. • Sampson, G. Trade, Environment, and the WTO: The Post-Seattle Agenda, Overseas Development Council, 2000. • Brack, D. International Trade and Climate Change Policies, Earthscan, 2000. • Epps, T. and Green, A. Reconciling Trade and Climate - How the WTO Can Help Address Climate Change, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2010.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	12
Guided independent study	88
Total hours by term	100.00
Total hours for module	100.00

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
8 page essay (formatted in accordance with the School of Law􀀒s Assessed Work Rules)

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the standard University policy.

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: 20 April 2018