• Class Number 3545
  • Term Code 3140
  • Class Info
  • Unit Value 6 units
  • Mode of Delivery Online
  • COURSE CONVENER
    • Sarah Heathcote
  • LECTURER
    • Sarah Heathcote
  • Class Dates
  • Class Start Date 18/03/2021
  • Class End Date 07/05/2021
  • Census Date 02/04/2021
  • Last Date to Enrol 18/03/2021
SELT Survey Results

The course is intended to be a follow-up course to LAWS8182 Principles of International Law.  It too will focus on general international law, seeking to identify, in particular, the impact of the relevant norms on the conduct of international relations and national decision-making in this area.

Subject matter coverage will centre on those parts of general international law that are not covered in Principles of International Law, yet are regarded as necessary for a well-rounded knowledge of the subject matter befitting a specialist degree in Public International Law. Some continuing attention will be devoted to further developing the students' capacity to apply international legal norms in concrete settings.

Topics covered in lectures will usually include:

  • territory in international law
  • State responsibility
  • the use of force, including UN enforcement measures
  • jurisdiction and immunities.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Describe, explain and evaluate the nature, role and impact of legal considerations in the conduct of international relations;
  2. Distinguish core concepts of international law and appropriately summarise and synthesise their role within the broader international legal framework;
  3. Explain and demonstrate through the critical analysis of particular cases and situations how the law is applied or misapplied in practice;
  4. Understand how the mechanisms governing the generation and modification of international legal norms apply in particular contexts; and
  5. Resolve through the appropriate use of legal principles, practical problems in a structured, succinct and precise manner.

Required Resources

No one textbook is prescribed for this course. Instead students are encouraged to be guided by the Bibliography that accompanies the course and source readings suited to their needs. Prior to the start of the course students are encouraged to consult the Bibliography which is available on the course Wattle site and to read a textbook chapter of their choice on each of the topics that will be covered in class.

Staff Feedback

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

  • feedback to the whole class on the multiple-choice
  • written comments on the problem question
  • students can also make an appointment to discuss their assessment results

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 interim scaling guideline applies to all courses in the LLB (Hons) and JD programs. 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 relating to the course.

Class Schedule

Week/Session Summary of Activities Assessment
1 This is an intensive course taught online over 4 days on two consecutive Thursdays and Fridays (9am-5pm, 18-19 March 2021 and 9-5pm, 25-26 March 2021). We will be using the online conference platform Zoom and attendance is required for all sessions. Please leave your camera turned on so that all participants can see and interact with you. The course will cover those general principles of international law either not considered or only briefly considered in Principles of International Law (LAWS8182). The aim is for students to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the international legal system as a whole. As such this course deals with topics that underpin the various specialised areas of international law.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task Value Due Date Return of assessment Learning Outcomes
Multiple choice quiz 40 % 19/04/2021 20/04/2021 1,2,3,4
Problem Based Take-Home Assignment 60 % 07/05/2021 07/06/2021 1,2,3,4,5

* 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:

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.

Assessment Task 1

Value: 40 %
Due Date: 19/04/2021
Return of Assessment: 20/04/2021
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4

Multiple choice quiz

Nature of Task: The online time-controlled multiple choice quiz consists of a series of 20 questions, based on the entire course and is worth 40% of the final assessment. Students must choose one answer to each of the several possible alternatives in each quiz question. Students will be able to log into the quiz once only during the three week period in which the quiz is available and will have one hour to complete the 20 questions. If unavoidable and extenuating circumstances beyond your control arise, you should email nicole.king@anu.edu.au. However you should not expect to receive a sympathetic response, unless you have attempted the quiz early or have medical documentation to support the fact that you could not do it for the entirety of the time it is open.

Weighting: 40%. For each correct answer to a quiz question students will be awarded 1 point out of 20, (2% of the final mark)

Release: The quiz will be made available from 5pm on Friday 26 March 2021

Due date: must be completed by 9am (AEST) on Monday 19 April 2021.

Estimated return date: Results will be returned within the shortest possible period in order to provide feedback and consequently assistance in the completion of the second piece of assessment (the problem question). It is hoped that results will be released before 5pm on Tuesday 20 April 2021.

Assessment Criteria: For this type of exam question, the assessment criteria consists in identifying a correct proposition of law amongst several alternatives of greater or lesser persuasiveness.

Extensions: Please note that as an exam, extensions are not possible on this piece of assessment.

Assessment Task 2

Value: 60 %
Due Date: 07/05/2021
Return of Assessment: 07/06/2021
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4,5

Problem Based Take-Home Assignment

Nature of Task: problem based take-home assignment to be completed in no more than 2500 words including headings and footnotes. No bibliography is expected.

Weighting: 60%

Word limit: 2500 words including headings and footnotes

Release: The problem question will be made available at 5pm on Friday 26 March 2021

Due date: due at 5pm (AEST) Friday 7 May 2021.

Submission: Students are required to submit their assignment to Turnitin. You are not required to submit a coversheet with your Turnitin submission but you will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the Turnitin submission process.

Late submission: Late submissions (without an extension) are permitted, but a mark penalty will be imposed - see later in this class summary.

Estimated return date: It is anticipated that results will be released no later than Monday 7 June 2021. Individual papers cannot be released until all assignments have been submitted by students.

Assessment Criteria: In completing the take-home problem, students should be guided by the following criteria:

a) Content

  • answering the question asked
  • identification of the legal issues raised from the questions
  • legal principles stated/explained with accuracy
  • legal principles stated/explained in appropriate detail
  • relevant facts recognised and linked to the legal principles
  • recognition and evaluation of judicial and statutory ambiguities and ‘grey areas’
  • originality/innovation in approach to issues
  • clear conclusions

b) Structure/organisation

  • emphasis on the significant issues
  • answer is coherent and structure logical

c) Expression

  • good use of structure, section headings and paragraphs
  • clarity and conciseness of expression, interesting and engaging of reader
  • use of appropriate terminology and correct grammar, syntax and spelling
  • adherence to word limit.

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 not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
  • 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.

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.

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).

Sarah Heathcote
6125 7624
Sarah.heathcote@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Sarah Heathcote

By Appointment
Sarah Heathcote
+61 2 61253483
Sarah.heathcote@anu.edu

Research Interests


Sarah Heathcote

By Appointment

Responsible Officer: Registrar, Student Administration / Page Contact: Website Administrator / Frequently Asked Questions