LC5022 Aspects of International Law

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

To be confirmed

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr D J Miles

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Mateja Peter, Dr Adam Bower, Dr Anthony Lang, Prof Caroline Humfress

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module investigates international law as a paradigm for critically analysing international relations. It sees international law as an arena for debates about core values of the international system and a mechanism for the balancing of competing values that underpin it. At the same time, international law is constrained by international political realities. Throughout the module we will contend not just with the fundamental assumptions about international order, but also question in what ways this order is developing. We will strive to better understand the complex relationship between law and politics in the international arena.

Assessment pattern

100% Coursework

Re-assessment

100% Coursework

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 seminar (x11 weeks), plus individual meetings to discuss research assignments.

Scheduled learning hours

47

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

252

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Be able to understand the distinct nature of international law.
  • Be able to use different theoretical lenses to understand international law.
  • Be able to see international law as a useful paradigm for the understanding of international relations.
  • Be able to identify when a dispute among international actors would benefit from a legal analysis and discern competing values underpinning it.
  • Be able to read, interpret and critically evaluate legal texts and arguments.
  • Have the capacity to apply and discuss international legal rules and concepts in relation to a number of substantive issue areas we will be discussing.