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. 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;
2. Identify, explain and analyse the substantive norms that have been developed at the international level in relation to the topics studied;
3. Identify and use a range of legally specific principles and techniques appropriate to respond to a factually complex international law problem; and
4. Plan and conduct a legal research project with intellectual independence.

Research-Led Teaching

The course will focus on Professor Rothwell's research and scholarship on Antarctica, the Antarctic Treaty, the South China Sea, and islands and international law.

Required Resources

See Wattle for further information.

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.

Other Information

Task submission times refer to Canberra time (AEST/AEDT).

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: 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 any announcements relating to the course.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Topic: Course Introduction + Antarctic and South China Sea Geopolitics and History
2	Topic: Treaties - The 1959 Antarctic Treaty and 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
3	Topic: Customary International Law - the law of the sea and Antarctic governance/objective regimes	Tutorial 1
4	Topic: Territoriality - Claims and entitlements	Tutorial 2
5	Topic 5: Jurisdiction - Antarctic Treaty and South China Sea	Tutorial 3
6	Week 6	Tutorial 4 + Student Consultations + First Assessment Task
7	Topic 6: Maritime - Southern Ocean EEZ and Continental Shelf, and China's Nine Dash Line Claim	Masterclass 1
8	Topic 7: Environment - Antarctic environmental protection and South China Sea environmental management	Masterclass 2
9	Topic 8: Resource Management - Antarctic mining prohibition, and South China Sea mining and fisheries management	Masterclass 3
10	Topic 9: Security - Demilitarisation, nuclear free zones and military operations	Masterclass 4
11	Topic 10: Dispute Settlement - adjudication, arbitration and negotiation	Masterclass 5
12	Topic 11: Future scenarios	Masterclass 6

Tutorial Registration

Details will be announced in Week 1

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Online Test	30 %	31/03/2022	1,2,3,4
Research Essay	70 %	02/06/2022	1,2,3,4

* 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 Academic Integrity . 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

For all courses taught in any mode (whether face to face or online), the ANU College of Law considers participation in the classes offered to be an important part of the educational experience of the program. Students are expected to attend all classes.

Assessment Task 1

Online Test

Brief Description: The online test will focus on an assessment of principal international law issues of treaties, customary international law, territoriality, and jurisdiction in Antarctica, or in the South China Sea.

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

Weighting: 30%

Duration: 120 minutes (cumulative of reading, writing and submission time)

Word limit: 1200 words

Release: 10am, Thursday 31 March 2022 via Turnitin.

Due Date: 12pm. Thursday 31 March 2022 via Turnitin. If you experience unavoidable and extenuating circumstances and cannot complete the assessment at the due date and time, you should apply for an extension to the ANU College of Law Student Administration Services: https://law.anu.edu.au/forms/assessment-extension-request. The College will give you one further opportunity to complete the assessment, at the same time one week later. This will be your final opportunity to complete the task.

Estimated return date: Week 8, Semester 1

Assessment Criteria:

Rubric

	Not Satisfactory	Pass	Credit	Distinction	High Distinction
Understanding and discussion of relevant law	Omits discussion of relevant law.	Adequate description of relevant law.	Very good analysis of relevant law. Few gaps or omissions.	Excellent analysis and application of all relevant law on all issues.	Sophisticated reflections on relevant law and original application on all issues.
Critical and analytical response to chosen topic	Descriptive without critique or conclusion s. Personal opinions expressed without scholarly support.	Limited evaluation of material; limited critical and analytical thinking that could lead to the formulation of supported conclusion( s).	Some evaluation of material; some critical and analytical thinking; and, some sustained argument and formulation of supported conclusion( s).	Effective analysis and argument. Many well supported and clear conclusions.	Sophisticated independent critical analysis, interpretation and argument leading to well resolved conclusions. All arguments well supported.
Structure including logical development of content	Logical organisation of ideas not evident.	Some organisation and development of ideas.	Evidence of logical organisation and development of most ideas.	Well developed and effective structure.	Skillful development of ideas in a sophisticated and effective structure.
Research of primary legal (treaties and cases) and scholarly secondary sources.	No evidence of research; reliance on class materials.	Some systematic or effective scholarly research; research with significant flaws, errors, gaps in sources.	Evidence of very good systematic research including some depth and breadth of primary legal and scholarly secondary sources.	Substantial depth and breadth in research including most relevant primary legal and scholarly secondary sources.	Extensive and comprehensive range of primary legal and scholarly secondary sources.
Expression and written communication including use of legal terminology, proof-reading, grammar, punctuation and English usage.	Expression contains many errors; unclear in many places. Main ideas poorly stated.	Expression adequately communicates author’s main ideas. A few significant grammatical errors and/or errors with legal terminology.	Very good expression of most of the author’s ideas. No significant errors but occasional minor errors or lack of clarity.	Clearly expresses all of the author’s ideas. Rare errors or lack of clarity.	Polished and/or stylish written expression of ideas throughout the paper.

Assessment Task 2

Research Essay

Brief Description: Students will complete a research essay that undertakes an advanced international law assessment of either Antarctica, or the South China Sea, with a particular focus on Topics 6-10.

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

Weighting: 70%

Word limit: 3500 words (not including footnotes and Bibliography)

Release: Week 7

Due date: 5pm on Thursday 2 June 2022.

Estimated return date: Official end of semester results release date via Turnitin. 

Late submission: Late submissions (without an extension) are permitted, but late penalties will apply. See details later in this class summary.

Assessment Criteria:

Rubric

	Not Satisfactory	Pass	Credit	Distinction	High Distinction
Understanding and discussion of relevant law	Omits discussion of relevant law.	Adequate description of relevant law.	Very good analysis of relevant law. Few gaps or omissions.	Excellent analysis and application of all relevant law on all issues.	Sophisticated reflections on relevant law and original application on all issues.
Critical and analytical response to chosen topic	Descriptive without critique or conclusion s. Personal opinions expressed without scholarly support.	Limited evaluation of material; limited critical and analytical thinking that could lead to the formulation of supported conclusion( s).	Some evaluation of material; some critical and analytical thinking; and, some sustained argument and formulation of supported conclusion( s).	Effective analysis and argument. Many well supported and clear conclusions.	Sophisticated independent critical analysis, interpretation and argument leading to well resolved conclusions. All arguments well supported.
Structure including logical development of content	Logical organisation of ideas not evident.	Some organisation and development of ideas.	Evidence of logical organisation and development of most ideas.	Well developed and effective structure.	Skillful development of ideas in a sophisticated and effective structure.
Research of primary legal (treaties and cases) and scholarly secondary sources.	No evidence of research; reliance on class materials.	Some systematic or effective scholarly research; research with significant flaws, errors, gaps in sources.	Evidence of very good systematic research including some depth and breadth of primary legal and scholarly secondary sources.	Substantial depth and breadth in research including most relevant primary legal and scholarly secondary sources.	Extensive and comprehensive range of primary legal and scholarly secondary sources.
Referencing and compliance with AGLC.	Footnotes absent or consistentl y non- compliant with AGLC or OSCOLA	Insufficient footnotes and/or many footnotes non- compliant with AGLC or OSCOLA	Footnotes sometimes compliant with AGLC or OSCOLA but also repeated	Footnotes mostly compliant with AGLC or OSCOLA.	Footnotes compliant with AGLC or OSCOLA. No errors detected.
Expression and written communication including use of legal terminology, proof-reading, grammar, punctuation and English usage.	Expression contains many errors; unclear in many places. Main ideas poorly stated.	Expression adequately communicates author’s main ideas. A few significant grammatical errors and/or errors with legal terminology.	Very good expression of most of the author’s ideas. No significant errors but occasional minor errors or lack of clarity.	Clearly expresses all of the author’s ideas. Rare errors or lack of clarity.	Polished and/or stylish written expression of ideas throughout the paper.

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 tests or examinations.
• Late submission with an extension. To ensure equity for all students, the 5% penalty per working day for late submission of work does not apply if you have been given an extension. Where an extension is granted, the revised due date and submission time is provided in writing. Please note that the revised due date is calculated by including weekends and public holidays. Regardless of which day of the week the revised due date falls on, students who submit after that date are penalised by 5% of the possible marks available for the assessment task per 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.

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).

• 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