The course 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 most essential in equipping candidates with the necessary knowledge and skills to tackle more specialised areas on international law: nature, function and sources of international law, relationship between international & domestic law, international agreements, and subjects of international law (including statehood & recognition).
Special emphasis will be put on developing the students' capacity to apply international legal norms in concrete settings, and the course will include problem-solving workshops.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Synthesise, apply and communicate the basic concepts and terminology of public international law;
- Evaluate the processes by which international law is formed and the role and status of key actors and sources of international law in the international legal system;
- Evaluate the rules and relevance of treaty law in the context of contemporary issues in public international law, including to apply relevant rules of treaty law to analyse international disputes;
- Recognise and appraise the interaction between the international legal system and the Australian legal system;
- Evaluate by reference to particular cases the relevance of international law to current political and social developments at the international and national levels;
- Critically analyse and reflect on complex international law problems in order to develop and communicate creative, practical and theoretically-informed solutions;
Research-Led Teaching
Wanshu Cong teaches and researches in the fields of public international law, international human rights law, international criminal law, and law and technology.
Required Resources
There is no prescribed textbook for this course. Readings/E brick will be made available on Wattle two weeks prior to the course commencement date.
Recommended Resources
There are a number of standard texts on international law that students may wish to consult for further reading or in the completion of your assessment tasks. They will be placed on reserve in the Law Library, and a list posted on the course wattle site.
The following are good starting points for electronic research in international law, including ANU Law Library, International Law and Foreign Law (part of the Weblaw project): http://libguides.anu.edu.au/international_law
- Australian Treaties Library: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/
- American Society of International Law, Electronic Information System for International Law: http://www.eisil.org/
- Oxford Reports in International Law http://opil.ouplaw.com/home/oril [also available via ANU Law Library]
- United Nations Documentation: Research Guide http://research.un.org/en/docs/
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). 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/current-students/policies-procedures/extensions-late-submission-and-penalties
Deferred examination: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/deferred-examinations
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 |
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| 1 | 9am-1pm 4 Sep 2023(1) General introduction of international law and the course(2) Nature of the international legal system: is international law law? | |
| 2 | 9am-1pm 5 Sep 2023Sources of international law:(1) general introduction: overview of different sources(2) treaty:
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| 3 | 9am-1pm 7 Sep 2023Sources of international law (continued):(3) customary international law:
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| 4 | 9am-1pm 11 Sep 2023Subjects/participants of international law:(1) state:
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| 5 | 9am-1pm 12 Sep 2023Subjects/participants of international law (continued):(1) state (continued):
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| 6 | 9am-1pm 14 Sep 2023Subjects/participants of international law (contined):(2) non-state actors:
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| 7 | 9am-1pm 18 Sep 2023International responsibility:
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| 8 | 9am-1pm 19 Sep 2023Use of force:
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| 9 | 9am-1pm 21 Sep 2023International dispute resolution:
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Tutorial Registration
There are no tutorials in this course.
Assessment Summary
| Assessment task | Value | Due Date | Return of assessment | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contribution to Class Discussions | 10 % | * | 21/09/2023 | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 |
| Fact Pattern Analysis | 15 % | 18/09/2023 | 25/09/2023 | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 |
| Reflective Note | 15 % | 25/09/2023 | 03/10/2023 | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 |
| Research Essay | 60 % | 03/11/2023 | 20/11/2023 | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 |
* 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 ‘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.
If circumstances arise which are beyond a student’s control and they are unable to attend a class, the student should contact the Course Convenor in advance (where possible), so that the convenor can adjust their expectations in relation to numbers for that class. If it is not possible to give advance notice, students should send the convenor an email as soon as possible with evidence to support the reason for failure to attend.
Examination(s)
There is no final examination for this course.
Assessment Task 1
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Contribution to Class Discussions
Details of Task: During the online intensive sessions, students will be provided with a range of exercises and discussion questions to engage with through Zoom seminars and simulation activities. These exercises 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 will result in a mark of zero for this task.
Weighting: 10%
Due Date: Your participation will be continuously assessed over the intensive teaching period.
Estimated Return Date: 21 September 2023
Assessment Criteria: The participation mark will focus on your preparations for class, your contributions to class discussions, and your capacity to communicate your knowledge and understanding of the rules and concepts covered in the course. See the below rubric.
Rubric
| Not satisfactory | Pass | Credit | Distinction | High Distinction | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Contributions to class discussions | Never contributes to class discussions. Never comments, asks or responds to questions. | Limited contribution to class discussions. Rarely comments, asks or responds to questions. | Occasional contributions to class discussions. Provides some comments, asks some questions, is able to respond to some questions. | Frequent contributions to class discussions. Provides relevant comments and asks relevant questions, is able to respond to many questions. | Consistently contributes to discussions in all or nearly all classes. Proactively asks and responds to questions and creates opportunities to support other students to make contributions. |
Substance of class contributions | Key points are not communicated effectively or show repeated errors in understanding | Rarely concisely and effectively communicates key points. | Sometimes concisely and effectively communicates key point. | Mostly concisely and effectively communicates key points | Always concisely and effectively communicates key points. |
Preparation for class | Does not demonstrate any familiarity and/or knowledge of class materials | Limited demonstration of familiarity and/or knowledge of class materials | Sometimes demonstrates familiarity and/or knowledge of class materials | Mostly demonstrates familiarity and/or knowledge of class materials | Demonstrates thorough and detailed preparation for all or nearly all classes |
Assessment Task 2
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Fact Pattern Analysis
Details of Task: At the end of the second teaching week, students will be provided with a short fictional fact pattern for analysis. This task will assess students' understanding and the ability to apply the basic knowledge covered in the course to a specific case and help develop students' skills of legal analysis and writing.
Nature of Task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Failure to complete will result in a mark of zero for this task.
Weighting: 15%
Release: 5pm, 14 September 2023
Word Limit: The fact pattern analysis should be no longer than 600 words. No bibliography is required for primary or secondary sources, but brief in-text references are required that are sufficient to identify the source (and the location of quotes, where these are used). References will count towards the word count. The ANU College of Law's Word Length and Excess Word penalties policy can be found here. Your submission must be made in a word processing file format (.doc, .docx). PDF files will not be accepted.
Due Date: 5pm, 18 September 2023 via Wattle. Extension is not permitted. Late submissions (without an extension) are permitted, but late penalties will apply.
Estimated Return Date: 25 September 2023
Assessment Criteria:
- Understanding of relevant law and legal policy
- Identification of the legal issue
- Analysis of the facts
- Logic of legal reasoning
- References to, and engagement with, relevant primary and secondary sources as appropriate
- Written expression, including use of legal terminology, proof-reading, grammar and punctuation
Assessment Task 3
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Reflective Note
Details of Task: At the end of the third teaching week, students will be able to choose one of the questions discussed in the class and write a reflective note. This task will assess students' ability to engage with the readings and class discussions critically and reflectively and help develop students' critical thinking, as well as research and writing skills.
Nature of Task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Failure to complete will result in a mark of zero for this task.
Weighting: 15%
Release: 5pm, 21 September 2023
Word Limit: 900 words, inclusive of footnotes in AGLC/OSCOLA format. Footnotes should be used for referencing of sources. The ANU College of Law's Word Length and Excess Word penalties policy can be found here. Your submission must be made in a word processing file format (.doc, .docx). PDF files will not be accepted.
Due Date: 5pm, 25 September 2023 via Turnitin. Late submissions (without an extension) are permitted, but late penalties will apply.
Estimated Return Date: 3 October 2023
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, proof-reading, grammar, and punctuation
Assessment Task 4
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Research Essay
Details of Task: This is an independent research project. Students will be able to choose a topic related to what has been discussed in this course and write a research essay on the selected topic. The essay can be doctrinal or non-doctrinal. Students are welcome to share preliminary research outlines with the Course Convenor for feedback by 4 October 2023. Feedback on the outlines will be provided by 10 October 2023.
Nature of Task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Failure to complete will result in a mark of zero for this task.
Weighting: 60%
Word Limit: 4000 words, inclusive of footnotes in AGLC/OSCOLA format. Footnotes should be used for referencing of sources. A list of bibliography is required and will not count towards the world limit. The ANU College of Law's Word Length and Excess Word penalties policy can be found here. Your submission must be made in a word processing file format (.doc, .docx). PDF files will not be accepted.
Due Date: 5pm, 3 November 2023 via Turnitin. Late submission (without an extension) is permitted, although late penalties will apply. Please be mindful that if you are in your final semester, late submissions and/or extensions will have an impact on your eligibility to graduate on time.
Estimated Return Date: 20 November 2023
Assessment Criteria:
- Understanding of relevant law and literature surrounding the selected topic
- Quality of research: e.g., the breath and depth of the research; the ability to synthesise and critically engage with different materials; the ability to combine the research with class discussions and reflections
- 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 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. 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 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.
Returning Assignments
All marks and feedback will be provided online 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.
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 Access 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 all ANU students
Convener
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Research InterestsPublic international law, international human rights law, international criminal law, law and technology |
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Dr Wanshu Cong
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