The International Law Clinical Program gives students interested in International Law an experience of the practical application of International Law.

The International Law Clinical Program applies students' knowledge of international law and drafting and research skills to contemporary international law projects. 

The main focus of the Clinical Program is responding to projects initiated by the Convenor and students working collaboratively. 

The Clinical Program aims to project the knowledge and skills of the ANU College of Law generally and in International Law in particular, and to enhance appreciation of International Law among influential Australian Government and NGO communities.

 

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Critical analysis of international law concepts through their application to domestic policy objectives.
2. Develop research and drafting skills, demonstrate to external audiences specific skills of research and drafting required for non-academic work, and compare and contrast those skills with the skills required for academic work.
3. Apply an advanced ability to work collaboratively, and develop interpersonal skills and self-awareness of students' own cognitive abilities and values.
4. Reflect on learning experiences gained through project work to support the delivery of successful project outcomes.
5. Evaluate the practical demands of policy-making outside the academic context, with regard to future personal aspirations.
6. Communicate the practical relevance of international law to a variety of audiences.

Research-Led Teaching

This course will be framed around the international law research expertise and particular research interests of the course convenor. In addition to focusing on general international law in a clinical setting, other areas of international law that will be considered include the relationship between international law and Australian law, the law of the sea, the law of the polar regions (Antarctica), international law and consular assistance/diplomatic protection, international law and the death penalty, international law and the use of force, and international space law.

Required Resources

There is no prescribed course text book

Recommended Resources

Rothwell, Kaye, Akhtar-Khavari, Davis and Saunders, International Law: Cases and Materials with Australian Perspectives (3rd, 2018)

Rothwell and Crawford (eds), International Law in Australia (3rd, 2017)

Staff Feedback

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

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

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.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction + Discussion of Clinic Projects	Commencement of Clinic Reflections
2	Discussion of Clinical Projects + Practitioner Presentations	Ongoing Clinic Reflections
3	Discussion of Clinical Projects + Practitioner Presentations	Ongoing Clinic Reflections
4	Discussion of Clinical Projects + Practitioner Presentations	Ongoing Clinic Reflections
5	Discussion of Clinical Projects + Practitioner Presentations	Ongoing Clinic Reflections
6	Discussion of Clinical Projects + Practitioner Presentations	Task 1: Draft Clinic Project Outline + Task 4 Draft Clinic Project Presentation
7	Discussion of Clinical Projects + Team Project Development	Ongoing Clinic Reflections
8	Discussion of Clinical Projects + Team Project Development	Ongoing Clinic Reflections
9	Discussion of Clinical Projects + Team Project Development	Ongoing Clinic Reflections
10	Discussion of Clinical Projects + Team Project Development	Ongoing Clinic Reflections
11	Discussion of Clinical Projects + Team Project Development	Ongoing Clinic Reflections
12	Review of Clinical Tasks + Clinic Achievements + Future Clinic Projects	Task 2: Clinic Reflections Journal

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Task 1	20 %	22/04/2020	11/05/2020	1, 2
Task 2	10 %	02/06/2020	08/06/2020	4
Task 3	70 %	11/06/2020	09/07/2020	1, 2, 3, 5, 6
Task 4	0 %	20/04/2020	10/05/2020	1, 2

* 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. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

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

Students are expected to attend the scheduled weekly clinic during Weeks 1-12

Assessment Task 1

Task 1

Brief Description: Draft Clinic Project Outline

Nature of Task: Students are to complete a Draft Clinic Project Outline which will provide details on the clinic project that has been selected, how the project is being investigated, and the research/advocacy projection anticipated for the project. This task is compulsory. Failure to submit the task will result in a grade of 0 for the task.

Weighting: 20%

Word Limit: 1000w

Duration: Weeks 1-6

Release: Week 1

Due date: 22 April 2020

Estimated return date: 11 May 2020

Assessment Criteria: 1) Understanding and discussion of relevant law 2) Selection of relevant issues 3) Analysis of relevant facts 4) Persuasiveness of arguments 5) Creative and originality of approach

Assessment Task 2

Task 2

Brief Description: Clinic Reflections Journal

Nature of Task: Students are to prepare a journal that reflects on their experience throughout the clinic and their learning about international law in the clinical setting. This task is compulsory. Failure to submit the task will result in a grade of 0 for the task.

Weighting: 10%

Word Limit: 600w

Duration: Weeks 1- 12

Release: Week 1

Due date: 2 June 2020

Estimated return date: 8 June 2020

Assessment Criteria: 1) Selects relevant issues 2) Analysis of relevant facts 3) Critical and analytical evaluation of material

Assessment Task 3

Task 3

Brief Description: Clinic Project

Nature of Task: The Clinic Project will comprise a written form of assessment based on the project chosen by the student and developed individually or in partnership with another student. The Clinic Project could take the final form of either :1) a submission to a Parliamentary inquiry 2) a legal memorandum/advice on a legal problem/issue area 3) a legal advocacy brief for action on a particular issue area 4) draft pleadings before an International Court or Tribunal 5) a research brief exploring legal options in a contentious area of international law. This task is compulsory. Failure to submit the task will result in a grade of 0 for the task.

Weighting: 70%

Word Limit: 4,000w

Duration: Weeks 1 - 12

Release: Week 1

Due Date: 11 June 2020

Estimated Return Date: 9 July 2020, with the release of final results.

Assessment Criteria: 1) Understanding and discussion of relevant law 2) Analysis of relevant facts 3) Persuasiveness of arguments 4) Formulation of strong and clear conclusion(s) and advice about outcomes 5) Cognitive and originality of approach 6) Effective use of headings 7) Research of primary legal (case law and legislation) and scholarly secondary sources 8) Referencing and compliance with AGLC 9) Expression and written communication 10) Contribution to shared student learning [if a collaborative project is undertaken]

Assessment Task 4

Task 4

Brief Description: Draft Clinic Project presentation

Nature of Task: Students are to either individually or with a partner student give a presentation on their clinic project by way of a mid-course update giving details on the nature of the project, why the project was selected, research strategies, and the project direction for Weeks 7-12. This task is compulsory. Failure to submit the task will result in a grade of 0 for the task.

Weighting: 0%

Word Limit: N/a

Duration: 10 minutes

Release: Week 1

Due Date: In class in Week 6

Estimated Return Date: N/a

Assessment Criteria: N/a

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to 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 be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, 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 Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

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

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

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.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be returned in class, or electronically.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted 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.

Resubmission of Assignments

Not permissible after the due date, or an adjusted date following an authorised extension

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