James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2024

LA1022 - Public International Law

Subject Description

International law has evolved in response to the need for world order. The principle focus of the United Nations is to maintain peace. To that end international law restricts the use of force, defines access rights to resources (particularly in the global commons) and provides for the peacefully settling disputes. Where peace cannot be maintained international law regulates the use of force and establishes criminal responsibility for those who committee crimes. The subject will provide a scaffold of public international law and an overview of related global themes and issues. Students will study the sources of international law, the relationship between international law and domestic law, international personality, right to self-determination, state responsibility, state jurisdiction, the law of treaties, peaceful settlement of disputes, the use of force and collective security, International Humanitarian Law, criminal responsibility and the Law of the Sea. Case studies and examples will focus on current events, Australia's foreign policy and the application of international law in the Pacific and Southeast Asian region. The assessment is designed to encourage students to develop their legal research skills and their writing skills.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify and explain the historical development of International Law
• Explain and critique International Law as it relates to the use of force, International Humanitarian Law and war crimes
• analyse past and current themes in Human Rights Law and Refugee Law
• Explain and critique the development of Environmental Law and the Law of the Sea
• Critique past and current themes in International Economic Law
• Conduct legal research of domestic and international materials

Subject Assessment

• Written > Examination (centrally administered) - (40%) - Individual
• Written > Test/Quiz 1 - (10%) - Individual
• Written > Research report - (50%) - Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Special Assessment Requirements

Tutorial attendance is mandatory in this subject. A student who fails to attend at least 70% must meet with the Associate Dean of Learning and Teaching and provide evidence as to why he or she should be permitted to sit the final exam or submit the final assessment task.

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:  LA4012

Availabilities