This course is a comprehensive introduction to the law of the World Trade Organization (‘WTO’) and to the context of economics and politics within which the law operates.
It provides either a stand-alone introduction to WTO law or a solid basis for further study. (eg, LAWS8073 Trade Remedies Law: WTO & Domestic Implementation).
The course considers the functions of the WTO through the consideration of some basic economics or trade, or public choice and game theory. It reviews the history of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) regulating trade in goods, and the creation of the Agreement Establishing the WTO ending with a review of the institutions of the WTO and of the framework of rules applying under the GATT.
It also includes a detailed study of the WTO dispute settlement system under the WTO Understanding on Dispute Settlement, its concepts, procedures and enforcement.
The course will examine the framework of rules under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and the relationship between regulation of trade in goods and regulation of trade in services; and the rules of the Agreement on Trade-Related aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS), emphasizing patents, copyright and trademarks.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
At the conclusion of this course students should have developed:
- A reasonable level of proficiency in researching WTO law;
- A solid knowledge of the Agreement Establishing the WTO, and the 3 main treaties binding WTO Members:
- the General agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT);
- the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS); and
- the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS).
- An ability to advise how certain parts of WTO law, including the fundamental rules of the GATT, GATS and TRIPS, apply to fact situations;
- An understanding of the nature of the WTO system for negotiations, of the WTO legal system and of the WTO dispute settlement system, its concepts, procedures and enforcement mechanisms; and
- An appreciation of how the law operates in a context of economics, politics and history.
- A level of knowledge and understanding of the WTO system sufficient to enable you to undertake more advanced or more specialized study.
Indicative Assessment
Students must rely on the approved Means of Assessment which will be available on the Wattle course site approximately 4 weeks prior to the commencement of the course.
Assessment is likely to consist of:
- Essay (2500 words, 35%)
- Take-home exam (2.5 hours, 65%)
Essay submission due date 8 May 2014
Take Home exam: paper released on WATTLE at 5pm on Friday 13 June 2014 and exam answers must be submitted on WATTLE by 9am on Monday 16 June 2014.
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
26 Contact Hours (Intensive Delivery over 4 days) plus private study and reading time.
2014 Intensive course dates: 3-4 & 7-8 April
Click here for current LLM Masters Program timetable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
None. A reading brick will be available for purchase.Preliminary Reading
Readings and materials will be listed in the Course Outline which will be available on the Wattle course site approximately 4 weeks prior to the commencement of the course.Students need to buy the reading brick and to obtain copies of certain WTO treaties from the WTO website.
Assumed Knowledge
It is not required that students have a background in economics, although some knowledge of economics will be helpful. The economic content of this course is pitched at those having no prior knowledge and it is not examinable.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Students continuing in their current program of study will have their tuition fees indexed annually from the year in which you commenced your program. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 3
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $1626 | |
| 2014 | $2808 | |
| 2013 | $2808 | |
| 2012 | $2808 | |
| 2011 | $2778 | |
| 2010 | $2718 | |
| 2009 | $2670 | |
| 2008 | $2670 | |
| 2007 | $2670 | |
| 2006 | $2646 | |
| 2005 | $2298 | |
| 2004 | $1926 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $2916 |
| 2014 | $3762 |
| 2013 | $3756 |
| 2012 | $3756 |
| 2011 | $3756 |
| 2010 | $3750 |
| 2009 | $3426 |
| 2008 | $3426 |
| 2007 | $3426 |
| 2006 | $3426 |
| 2005 | $3234 |
| 2004 | $2916 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Autumn Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4349 | 03 Apr 2014 | 03 Apr 2014 | 18 Apr 2014 | 20 May 2014 | In Person | N/A |