Course Details in 2023/24 Session

Module Title	LC Foundations of International Law
School	Birmingham Law School
Department	Law
Module Code	08 33571
Module Lead	Kieren McGuffin
Level	Certificate Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-30 hours Seminar-6 hours Guided independent study-164 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	The module is designed to provide an introduction to international law for students in the 1st year of the LLB International Law and Globalisation programme. In particular the module will provide students with a sound understanding of key international law concepts, instruments and institutions. Such an understanding provides the essential foundations for the more directly critical/theoretical topics addressed in the other FILG core modules. This introductory module shall further prepare students to fully engage with the more specific subjects covered in second and third-year core-modules. Topics covered will include: i) Subjects of international law (e.g. international legal personality, statehood and ‘recognition); ii) Sources of international law (e.g. treaties, customary international law, general principles); iii) The relationship between national and international law (e.g. monism and dualism; iv) Jurisdiction, state responsibility and sovereignty - exploring the extent and nature of international legal obligations and their relationship with state sovereignty (v) International organisations – exploring the structure and nature of key international organisations such as the United Nations and the World Trade OrganisationIn addition to these essential foundations, throughout the course of the module students shall be further introduced to specific areas of international law which in any one year may include: international economic law, international human rights law, international refugee law, international environmental law, counter-terrorism law.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of key international law concepts, instruments and institutions. Demonstrate in writing the ability to critique the limits of law and legal institutions in addressing key global issues such as cross-border migration, counter-terrorism and security, and transnational trade agreements. Be able to present balanced and well-founded arguments reflecting the often complex nature of the structure of international legal actors and responsibilities.
Assessment	33571-01 : Essay : Coursework (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessments: One 2,500 words essay (100%) Reassessment: Resit failed component(s)
Other
Reading List