LX401F: INTERNATIONAL LAW: A TIME OF CHALLENGES (2017-2018)

Last modified: 25 May 2018 11:16

Course Overview

The course analyses recent developments in public international law. It first considers the sources of public international law. The question is then asked whether traditional public international law can regulate pressing issues on the international plane. Examples of these problems are: international terrorism, nuclear weapons proliferation, protection of human rights, ethnic conflicts, and climate change. The course encourages the student to think creatively as an international lawyer to resolve contemporary international dilemmas. Teaching will be delivered through discussion based seminars. Assessment is based on the drafting of an essay and an exam.

Course Details

Study Type	Undergraduate	Level	4
Session	First Sub Session	Credit Points	30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus	Old Aberdeen	Sustained Study	No
Co-ordinators	Dr Irène Couzigou

Qualification Prerequisites

One of Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4 or Programme Level 5

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

Legal Studies (Ma Honours) (LX)
Any Undergraduate Programme

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

LX4077 The Evolution of International Law in a World of Crises (Studied)

Are there a limited number of places available?

Course Description

Course Aims

The course aims to analyse recent developments in public international law, with a special emphasis on evidentiary problems of State practice. It first considers the sources of public international law and whether ‘soft law’ can be a substitute. The question is then asked whether traditional public international law can regulate pressing issues on the international plane, and how far it should change; examples of these problems are: international terrorism, nuclear weapons proliferation, protection of human rights, ethnic conflicts, and climate change. The course encourages the student to think creatively as an international lawyer to resolve contemporary international dilemmas.

Main Learning Outcomes

An enhanced knowledge of general public international law;
An ability to access, and use for analysis, relevant texts and electronic databases;
An ability to organise and communicate ideas clearly and cogently;
Skills of interpretation, analysis, critical reasoning, and independent thought in relation to current key aspects of public international law;
An ability to understand the political and historical context in which public international law operates and changes. Content: Analysis of recent developments of public international law.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers

Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt

3-hour examination (75%)
3000-word essay (25%)

Resit

Normally, no resit is available

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Feedback

Feedback will be provided on the feedback form within three weeks from the date of submission.

Course Learning Outcomes