58吃瓜

Overview

When is war lawful? How is a state created? Who makes the rules that bind sovereign states?

This module explores the legal framework that governs relations between states and structures global order. You will examine the foundations of international law, including the regulation of the use of force, and the principles of jurisdiction and state immunity, and the institutional framework of the United Nations.

Through engagement with treaties, customary international law, and key international decisions, you will analyse how authority is created, contested, and constrained at the international level. The module develops your ability to assess whether international law meaningfully regulates power - or reflects it.

By the end of the course, you will think critically and confidently about the legal architecture underpinning war, sovereignty, and global governance.

Indicative content may include:

The nature, purpose, and sources of international law

The development and foundations of the international legal order

Statehood, sovereignty, recognition, jurisdiction, and state immunity

The role and institutional framework of the United Nations and other international organisations

The regulation of the use of force and collective security under international law

International courts, tribunals, and mechanisms of international dispute resolution

The relationship between international law, power, legitimacy, and global governance

Contemporary debates and critical perspectives relating to international law and international legal authority

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -C- to C+ Displays ability within a specialized area of knowledge and skills, employing appropriate skills to conduct research. Work at threshold quality demonstrates an adequate knowledge and understanding of current issues in this field of study. It shows a critical awareness of current problems, some of which is informed by thinking at the forefront of the academic discipline. Work at this level shows a developing understanding of techniques applicable to the student鈥檚 own research. It shows an ability to apply knowledge in an original way, and to use established techniques of research and enquiry to interpret knowledge in the discipline. The conceptual understanding evidenced by the work indicates that the student can evaluate scholarship in the field. -good -B- to B+ Displays accomplished ability within a specialized area of knowledge and skills, employing good quality skills to conduct research. Good work in this module will demonstrate a systematic knowledge and understanding of current issues in this field of study. It shows a critical awareness of current problems, much of which is at, or informed by thinking at, the forefront of the academic discipline. Work at this level shows a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to the student鈥檚 own research. It shows an ability to apply knowledge in an original way, and to use established techniques of research and enquiry to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline. The conceptual understanding evidenced in the work indicates that the student can evaluate advanced scholarship in the discipline. The work shows an ability to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them, and, where, appropriate, propose hypotheses. -excellent -A- to A*Displays mastery of a complex and specialized area of knowledge and skills, employing advanced skills to conduct research. Excellent work in this module will contain the qualities recognized in good work, but will show them in a more consistent way, and at all points. It will demonstrate a systematic knowledge and understanding of current issues in this field of study. It shows a critical awareness of current problems, much of which is at the forefront of this academic discipline. Work at this level shows a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to the student鈥檚 own research or to advanced scholarship. It shows throughout an ability to apply knowledge in an original way, and to use established techniques of research and enquiry to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline. The conceptual understanding evidenced in the work indicates that the student can critically evaluate advanced scholarship in the discipline, and do so in a consistent manner. The work shows an ability to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them, and, where, appropriate, propose hypotheses.

Learning Outcomes

• Critically analyse the principles, sources, and institutional structures of public international law.

• Apply and evaluate rules and doctrines of public international law to resolve complex legal problems in international contexts.

• Critically evaluate competing interpretations and areas of controversy within public international law, considering the interaction between law and international relations.

• Interpret and synthesise primary and secondary sources of public international law to construct coherent and persuasive legal arguments.