This course deals with the body of law known as International Law or sometimes 'Public International Law', as distinct from 'Private International Law'. The field of International Law deals with many aspects of the functioning of the international community (including the treatment by States with each other and with international organisations); it also affects many activities that occur within or across State boundaries (including the treatment by States of their citizens, environmental law, military operations, and many other areas). The impact of international law on the Australian legal system and the globalised nature of many governmental judicial and social activities means that a basic knowledge of the terminology, institutions, and substance of international law is not only worthwhile acquiring in its own right, but is also a necessary part of the knowledge and skills of any law graduate.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Synthesise and evaluate the fundamental legal principles, theoretical perspectives, and contemporary developments in public international law.
2. Review the processes by which international law is formed and the roles played by major bodies and institutions involved in the international legal system.
3. Critically evaluate and contrast the aspects of international law relating to treaties and debate their relevance to current events.
4. Plan and execute legal research in order to formulate and defend persuasive arguments in response to international law problems and issues.
5. Critically reflect on the relevance of international law to current political and social developments at international and national levels, incorporating a diverse range of perspectives.
6. Communicate theoretical propositions, legal methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions regarding international law matters to a variety of legal and non-legal audiences in a range of oral and written formats.

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

Required Resources

A reading list and electronic resources will be provided through the Canvas site.

Recommended Resources

A list of recommended resources will be provided through the Canvas site.

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

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

• written comments
• verbal comments, in lectures and tutorials
• feedback to whole class, tutorial groups, and individuals

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

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

Extensions, late submission and penalties: https://law.anu.edu.au/extensions-late-submission-and-penalties

Extenuating circumstances: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/extenuating-circumstances-application

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

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

Distribution of grades policy: https://law.anu.edu.au/grading

Assessment Reviews and Appeals: https://law.anu.edu.au/assessment-review-and-appeals

Further information about the course is available from the course Canvas page. Students are required to access the Canvas site regularly throughout the course for any announcements relating to the course.

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The ANU Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as providing clear guidance on the responsible and ethical use of AI technologies.

The following resources may also be useful:

• The ANU Library's Libguide is a valuable resource for gaining a comprehensive understanding of AI's role in academia.

• The ANU Academic Skills site provides useful information to ensure that you leverage AI responsibly and effectively.

• The ANU Law School Academic Integrity and Misconduct site provides content related to legal implications, ethical guidelines, and considerations when dealing with AI in the context of law.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to the Course and to International Law	In line with the University’s recording policy, lectures will be recorded and made available for students on Echo360. However, lecture recordings are only an additional resource and they should not be taken as a substitute for regular attendance. If a recording does fail, there is no guarantee a replacement recording will be provided.Tutorials begin in Week 1; participation (10%) will be assessed continuously throughout the semester.The instructions for the Reflective Research Essays will be released this week.
2	Subjects and Actors in International Law	The first option for the Reflective Research Essay draws on the Week 2 tutorial discussions.
3	Sources of International Law	Skills Session 1 will take place this week by Zoom (30 minutes)
4	The Law of Treaties	The second option for the Reflective Research Essay draws on the Week 4 tutorial discussions.
5	International Law and Domestic Law	In lieu of tutorials this week, there will be a Library Information Session & Quiz (the Quiz will remain open until the end of Week 6)
6	The Law of Jurisdiction	Skills Session 2 will take place this week by Zoom (30 minutes)
7	The Law of Immunities
8	The Law of State Responsibility	Skills Session 3 will take place this week by Zoom (30 minutes)
9	Consolidation Week (no classes)
10	Prohibition on the Threat or Use of Force
11	Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes	Skills Session 4 will take place this week by Zoom (30 minutes)
12	Revision and Reflection

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials / seminars so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the My Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Tutorial Participation	10 %	*	09/12/2026	1,2,3,4,5,6
Library Quiz	0 %	04/09/2026	*	2,4
Reflective Research Essay	40 %	10/09/2026	01/10/2026	1,2,3,4,5,6
Final Examination	50 %	*	*	1,2,3,4,5,6

* 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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Skills 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 ‘Canvas’ 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 lectures and tutorials.

Examination(s)

Examinations are held during the University's examination period. Students are to consult the exam timetable when it has been finalised.

Assessment Task 1

Tutorial Participation

Details of Task: Tutorials will offer an invaluable opportunity to consolidate your knowledge of the course materials and prepare for the course assessments. 

Nature of Task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Failure to complete this assessment will result in a mark of 0 for this assessment task.

Weighting: 10%

Duration: Your participation in seminars will be continuously assessed over the semester.

Estimated Return Date: 9 December 2026 via Canvas.

Assessment Criteria: Class participation will focus on your preparation for class, your capacity to communicate your knowledge and understanding of the rules and concepts covered in the course, and your contributions to group learning.

Assessment Task 2

Library Quiz

Details of Task: A Law Library Information Session will be delivered in place of the tutorial in Week 5, introducing you to the key research materials and databases relevant to international law. Following the Session, you will complete a short quiz to consolidate and test your understanding of the material covered. The quiz is designed to give you early feedback on your familiarity with international law research resources, including treaty databases, case law repositories, and secondary literature tools, so that you are well-equipped for the research demands of the course. The quiz will remain open until the end of Week 6.

Nature of Task: Optional. This assessment task is designed to give students an opportunity to receive feedback on their progress in the course.

Weighting: 0%

Due Date: The optional online quiz will remain open until the end of week 6. As this quiz is open for more than 24 hours, no extensions, time adjustments or late submissions shall be applied for this task.

Estimated Return Date: Results are available immediately upon completion of quiz.

Assessment Criteria: The mark for the quiz will be based on the number of correct responses.

Assessment Task 3

Reflective Research Essay

Details of Task: This assessment requires you to reflect critically on the legal issues explored in one of two tutorials, and to develop that reflection into a focused piece of independent legal research. You will choose between two topics: Topic 1 (based on Tutorial 2: Subjects and Actors in International Law) or Topic 2 (based on Tutorial 4: The Law of Treaties). You must complete one option only. Each essay will be structured into three parts: Part A (tutorial information), Part B (tutorial reflection), and Part C (independent research component). Full details of each option, including the specific questions available for Part C, will be provided through Canvas.

Nature of Task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Failure to submit this assessment will result in a mark of zero for this task. The use of generative AI and/or translation software is not permitted for this task.

Weighting: 40%

Word Count: 2,000 words (including footnotes, but excluding bibliography). The ANU School of Law's Word Length and Excess Word penalties policy can be found here.

Release Date: 31 July via Canvas

Submission Requirement: Footnotes should be used for the referencing of all sources. All references should be compliant with the current edition of the Australian Guide to Legal Citation. Your submission must be made in a word processing file format (.doc, .docx). PDF files will not be accepted.

Due Date: 5:00pm 10 September 2026, submitted via Canvas. Late submissions (without an extension) are permitted, but late penalties will apply. Please be aware that if you are in your final course(s), any late submissions may delay your conferral date.

Estimated Return Date: 1 October 2026 via Canvas.

Assessment Criteria:

• Quality of reflection in Part B (specificity, engagement with the tutorial discussion; identification of a genuine legal tension)
• Accuracy and depth of legal analysis in Part C (understanding of relevant law and legal policy; critical and analytical response to the topic; links to Part B)
• References to, and engagement with, relevant primary legal sources and secondary scholarly literature
• Structure and organisation of ideas
• Written expression, including use of legal terminology, proofreading, grammar, and punctuation

Assessment Task 4

Final Examination

Details of Task: The examination will comprise a hypothetical style problem that will test your knowledge of the course topics. You will be required to write a response to this problem scenario. All material covered in lectures and tutorials may be covered in the examination. 

Nature of Task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Failure to sit this examination will result in a mark of zero for this task.

Weighting: 50%

Time, Date and Duration: The exam will take place during the end-of-semester exam period. Students should consult the ANU Examination Timetable closer to the examination period to confirm the final time, date and duration of the examination. Because this is a formal examination, late submissions will not be accepted.

If you experience extenuating circumstances and are unable to sit the examination at its scheduled time and date, you should submit an Extenuating Circumstances Application (ECA), via ANUHub, within five working days of the original date of the examination. Your application will be processed by the Examinations Office. If it is approved, they will notify you, via email, of the details of your deferred examination.

Estimated Return Date: Official end of semester results release date.

Assessment Criteria:

• Understanding of relevant law and legal policy
• Critical and analytical response to the topic
• Structure and organisation of ideas
• References to, and engagement with, relevant primary legal and secondary scholarly sources
• Written expression, including use of legal terminology, clarity of expression and grammar, and punctuation

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

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. You must ensure that you upload the correct document on the specified submission due date and time. Any document modified after the due date and time will either incur a late penalty or will NOT be accepted. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education), submission must be through Turnitin in a word processing file format (.doc, .docx). Electronic copies in .pdf file format are not acceptable.

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 granted an extension. Where an extension is granted, the revised due date and submission time will be provided in writing. Importantly, any revised due date is inclusive of weekends and public holidays. Regardless of which day of the week the revised due date falls on, students who submit after that date will be penalised by 5% of the possible marks available for the task per 24-hour period.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

All marks and feedback will be provided by the return date listed in the class summary.

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

• Maximum Submissions: Students can submit up to three times per assessment.

• Final Submission Counts: Only the last uploaded version will be marked — provided it is uploaded before marking begins.

• Late Submissions: If submitted after the due date, the final version will still be marked, but late penalties will apply (unless an extension has been approved).

• No Submissions After Return Date: Once the return-of-assessment date has passed, NO submissions will be accepted.

• Marking Already Started: If a marker has already begun marking a version, that version will be the one assessed — even if a newer one is uploaded later.

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 Accessibility 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 supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students