This course is a follow-up to the compulsory International Law course LAWS2250 (LLB(Hons)) and LAWS6250 (JD).

Having reviewed the structure and principles of international law, this course is intended to round out the coverage of ‘general’ public international law by focusing on areas only partially dealt with in the compulsory course and which warrant further consideration in light of their importance. Coverage may consequently vary from year to year and include, for instance, the following topics: aspects of territory in international law; State responsibility, international organizations; aspects of treaty law (notably treaty interpretation); and jurisdiction. Occasionally parts of the course will consist of focused case studies of a current situation or event which raises important issues of international law.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. By the conclusion of this course, students who have successfully completed all of the requirements will have the knowledge and skills to:
2. - Identify and explain the contextual underpinnings of the norms that have evolved in the international community in respect of the specific topics addressed in the course;
3. - Identify, explain and analyse the substantive norms that have been developed at the international level in relation to the topics studied;
4. - Identify and use a range of legally specific principles and techniques appropriate to respond to a factually complex international law problem; and
5. - Plan and conduct a legal research project with intellectual independence.

Research-Led Teaching

Esmé researches public international law, international dispute settlement, and international investment arbitration. For further details of Esmé's research and teaching interests, see: https://law.anu.edu.au/people/esme-shirlow

Recommended Resources

J. Crawford, Brownlie’s Principles of Public International Law, 8th ed., Oxford University Press, 2012

A. Cassese, International Law, Oxford University Press, 2005

M. Evans (ed.) International Law, 5th ed., Oxford University Press, 2018

D. Harris and S. Sivakumaran, Cases and Materials on International Law, 8th ed., Sweet and Maxwell, 2015

M. Shaw, International Law, 8th ed., Cambridge University Press, 2018

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Extensions late submission and penalties - https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/extensions-late-submission-and-penalties

Deferred examination: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/deferred-examinations

Special consideration: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/special-assessment-consideration

Penalties for excess word length: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/word-length-and-excess-word-penalties

Distribution of Grades Policy: Effective from Winter Session and Second Semester 2018 (and until further notice), the current Grading Distribution Policy has been suspended pending the development of a new policy. For further information about the interim policy please see: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/grading

Further Information about the Course: is available from the course WATTLE page. Students are required to access the WATTLE site regularly throughout the course for details on weekly classes and any announcements and updates relating to the course.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Course introduction
2	Treaty Interpretation
3	Treaty Interpretation
4	Treaty Interpretation
5	Aspects of the Law of State Responsibility
6	Aspects of the Law of State Responsibility
7	International Law and Individuals
8	International Law and Individuals
9	The Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes
10	The Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes
11	The Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes
12	Course revision

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Optional Research Essay Outline	0 %	18/03/2019	25/03/2019	1,2,3,4
Research Essay	50 %	05/04/2019	06/05/2019	1,2,3,4
Examination	50 %	22/06/2019	04/07/2019	1,2,3

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Effective participation in this course will be achieved by a combination of:

1.   Reading, analysing and critically reflecting upon the readings each week;

2.   Engaging with the ideas and discussion generated in course seminars;

3.   Engaging in informal discussion with your peers and others about the issues and ideas encountered in this course (whether through the Wattle forum or in person outside of class).

Effective participation in this course will require around 7 hours of self-directed reading and study each week, and participation in 3 hours of face-to-face class activites. During their self-directed study for this course, students are encouraged to take detailed notes from readings and to prepare outlines of the course materials for their own reference. They are also encouraged to consider how the studied materials relate to contemporary political events, which will be discussed in more detail in class. Students are expected to prepare for class activities and to engage constructively in the discussion that takes place in seminars.

Examination(s)

This class will include a formal examination. Please note, that the dates used in the Assessment Summary in relation to exams indicate approximate timeframes. Students should consult the ANU final examination timetable to confirm the date, time and venue of the exam.

Assessment Task 1

Optional Research Essay Outline

Details of task: This optional task is designed as a formative assessment piece. It is intended to provide an early opportunity for students to develop their ideas for the research essay, and to receive some feedback on those ideas.

Nature of Task: Optional.

Weighting: 0%

Release: Friday 8 March, 5:00 PM (through Wattle)

Due date: Monday 18 March, 5:00 PM (through Wattle). Due to the nature of this task, and its relationship to the final Research Essay, there will be no extensions granted for late submission and any students who submit outlines after this deadline will not be given feedback for this task.

Word limit: 400 words

Referencing requirements: The current edition of the AGLC or OSCOLA

Estimated return date: Monday 25 March (through Wattle)

Assessment criteria:

·      Understanding of relevant law and legal policy

·      Critical and analytical response to the topic

·      Structure and organisation of ideas

·      Research of primary legal and scholarly secondary sources, and referencing/compliance with the current edition of the AGLC/OSCOLA

·      Written expression, including use of legal terminology, proof-reading, grammar, and punctuation 

Assessment Task 2

Research Essay

Brief details of task: Research essay.

Nature of Task: Compulsory. Non completion of this task will result in a 0 for this assessment task

Weighting: 50%

Release: Friday 8 March, 5:00 PM (through Wattle)

Due date: Friday 5 April, 5:00 PM via Turnitin. Late submission (without an extension) will not be permitted, and will result in a 0 for this assessment task.

Word limit: 2000 words (including footnotes but not bibliography).

Referencing Requirements: The current edition of the AGLC or OSCOLA

Estimated return date: Approximately 6 May via Turnitin

Assessment Criteria:

·      Understanding of relevant law and legal policy

·      Critical and analytical response to the topic

·      Structure and organisation of ideas

·      Research of primary legal and scholarly secondary sources, and referencing/compliance with the current edition of the AGLC/OSCOLA

·      Written expression, including use of legal terminology, proof-reading, grammar, and punctuation 

Assessment Task 3

Examination

Details of Task: Final open-book examination consisting of one problem question (with no choice of questions), held in the final exam period.

Nature of Task: Compulsory. Non completion of this task will result in a 0 for this assessment task

Timing: Please note that the dates used in the Assessment Summary in relation to exams indicate approximate timeframes. Students should consult the ANU final examination timetable to confirm the date, time and venue of the exam.

Weighting: 50%

Estimated return date: With final results via the Services office.

Assessment Criteria:

·      Understanding of relevant law and legal policy

·      Critical and analytical response to the topic

·      Structure and organisation of ideas

·      Written expression, including use of legal terminology, proof-reading, grammar, and punctuation

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

None of the assessment tasks will allow for late submission without an extension. Late submission is not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension occurs after the due date, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students