LW218-5-AU-CO:
Introduction to Public International Law
2022/23
Essex Law School
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Thursday 06 October 2022
Friday 16 December 2022
15
13 October 2023
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
LW219, LW356
BA LM11 Criminology with Criminal Law,
BA LM12 Criminology with Criminal Law (Including Year Abroad),
BA LM13 Criminology with Criminal Law (Including Placement Year)
International law touches upon virtually every aspect of human social life and underpins large areas of international relations and cooperation: from trade to war; from environmental protection to the safeguard of human rights; from navigation to the exercise of jurisdiction by national courts. Yet, the effectiveness of the rules of international law is fostering the peaceful co-existence of all nations is challenged more and more often.
This module introduces to the main tenets of public international law and its institutions (such as the United Nations and International Court of Justice) in these challenging times. Students will learn to know about the nature and sources of this legal system, about the (legal and natural) persons who bring it to life, about responsibility for violations of the law and avenues to solve disputes peacefully. Throughout the module, we will consider examples of how international law plays out in the real world.
The aims of the module are:
1. To understand the sources of public international law; customary international law, treaty law, general principles and judicial decisions
2. To analyse the principles, institutions, and processes of public international law, as well as recent developments
3. To develop the critical reasoning, analytical writing and oral argumentation skills appropriate to this specific branch of law
By the end of the term, students will be able to:
1. Identify sources of international law and discuss them accurately
2. Use primary and secondary international legal sources to develop multiple arguments and counterarguments for problems in international law
3. Accurately apply international legal concepts and sources to analyse and solve new legal issues
4. Use critical reasoning, analytical writing and oral argumentation skills appropriate to this sui generis system of law
5. Present legal findings and sound legal advice to various stakeholders
Indicative syllabus:
1. Introduction to international law
2. Sources of international law
3. The Law of Treaties
4. Statehood
5. Jurisdiction
6. Immunities
7. State Responsibility
8. International Organizations
9. Use of Force
10. International Dispute Settlement
For the academic year 2022-2023, the module will be taught with the following structure:
- A weekly 2-hour lecture;
- A fortnightly 1-hour tutorial.
The hours and tutorial group allocation are provided through central timetabling and students should routinely consult their timetables to ensure they are in class on time.
Students should regularly check the module Moodle page, where they can find essential and further reading for each lecture and assigned tutorial questions and materials. Students should come to lecture and tutorials prepared to engage with the assigned questions as instructed. Debate and discussion of the relevant topics is encouraged, both in and outside class.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Multiple Choice Questions - Continuous Assessment (LW218 Intro to PIL) |
|
100% |
| Exam |
Main exam: Remote, Open Book, 24hr during January
|
| Exam |
Reassessment Main exam: Remote, Open Book, 24hr during September (Reassessment Period)
|
Additional coursework information
The coursework element is worth 20% of the overall mark.
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Antonio Coco, email: antonio.coco@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Antonio Coco, Dr Meagan Wong
antonio.coco@essex.ac.uk
Yes
Yes
Yes
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
Of 34 hours, 22 (64.7%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
12 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
Essex Law School
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