This course introduces students to the theoretical frameworks, empirical cases, policy instruments, and cutting-edge debates in the fields of international non-legal social norms and international law from an International Relations perspective. The course goes beyond the conventional moralistic and black-letter approaches, and instead focuses on the political contexts, causes, and consequences of norms and international law. The course is structured in three parts. First, we will focus on the different theoretical perspectives in International Relations for understanding norms and international law, such as realist, liberal, and constructivist approaches. Second, the course will examine the general issues of norms and international law, including the actors of norms and international law, the creation and sources of norms and international law, and the problem of compliance. Third, we will examine the interrelationships between norms and international law, on the one hand, and international politics, on the other hand, in several global issue areas, such as the use of force, human rights, international criminal justice, the environment, and/or trade. In doing so, the course will also offer students ample opportunities to examine relevant current and historical events in collaborative and theoretically-informed ways through group discussion and/or presentation.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. understand different international relations theories of norms and international law;
2. apply international relations theories to case studies and issue areas of norms and international law;
3. understand how norms and international law work in world politics; and
4. think, write, and argue critically and logically about norms and international law issues from a political science perspective.

Additional Course Costs

Besides the required resource above, there are no additional costs associated with this course.

Examination Material or equipment

Details about the material or equipment that is permitted in an examination room will be outlined during the semester and on the course’s Wattle site.

Required Resources

The following textbook is required. As the Course Outline shows, its chapters are the required reading for Weeks 5, 8, and 11.

 

Sean D. Murphy, Principles of International Law, Third Edition (St. Paul: West Academic Publishing, 2018).

 

Due to copyright issues, the textbook’s chapters will not be uploaded on Wattle. You should purchase your own copy for the best learning experience. Please note that you are required to study the 3rd edition—but not the 2nd edition—because the 3rd edition contains considerable new information that is missing in the 2nd edition. The final exam questions will be presented, based upon that requirement. The textbook should be available for purchase at the campus bookstore or Amazon Australia. In addition, the ANU Library has three copies of the 3rd edition of the textbook for students who do not wish to purchase their own copy. (Please note that the ANU Library’s policy is to obtain one copy per 50 students.)

 

A number of articles and book chapters are also required and can be downloaded from Wattle, along with supplementary recommended readings.

Recommended Resources

A large number of journals and periodicals exist that include the cutting edge developments of the discipline. Being familiar with these sources and surveying at least some of them regularly will assist you in this course.

International Organization

International Studies Quarterly

European Journal of International Relations

American Journal of International Law

European Journal of International Law

Law & Society Review 

Staff Feedback

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

• News postings will provide feedback to the whole class on Wattle.
• Forums offer immediate feedback on your ideas and your understanding of course materials.
• Your course convener is available to provide feedback on your essay plans prior to its due date.
• Your course convener will provide written feedback on your essay on Wattle.

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

The information provided is a preliminary Course Outline. A finalised version will be available on Wattle and will be accessible after enrolling in this course. All updates, changes, and further information will be uploaded on the course Wattle and will not be updated on Programs and Courses throughout the semester. Any questions should be directed to the Course Convener.

Course Logistics

Due to the Programs and Courses webpage's word limit, the information on Course Logistics cannot be displayed in this Class Summary. For the full information, you must see the Course Outline available in our course Wattle. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Extensions and Penalties

Due to the Programs and Courses webpage's word limit, the information on Extensions and Penalties cannot be displayed in this Class Summary. For the full information, you must see the Course Outline available in our course Wattle. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Academic Integrity

Due to the Programs and Courses webpage's word limit, the information on Academic Integrity cannot be displayed in this Class Summary. For the full information, you must see the Course Outline available in our course Wattle. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Additional Referencing Requirements

Due to the Programs and Courses webpage's word limit, the information on Additional Referencing Requirements cannot be displayed in this Class Summary. For the full information, you must see the Course Outline available in our course Wattle. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

COURSE OUTLINE

Due to the Programs and Courses webpage's word limit, not all the information on the Course Outline I wish to offer for you can be displayed in this Class Summary. For the full information on the required and recommending readings and the key dates to remember for our course, you must see the Course Outline available in our course Wattle. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

The information published in this Class Summary may be subject to change, any changes in assessments or other course details will be communicated via Wattle and during the first week of the Semester. Any questions or concerns should be raised with the course convenor/lecturer as soon as possible.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction and Course Overview
2	Realist Approaches to Norms and International LawCase Study of Realism: International Criminal Tribunals	Forum begins.
3	Constructivist Approaches to Norms and International Law, Part 1: Mainstream ConstructivismCase Study of Mainstream Constructivism: The Convention on Cluster Munitions
4	No Lecture - Public Holiday	No forum.
5	Liberal Approaches to Norms and International LawCase Study of Liberalism: Territorial Disputes
6	Constructivist Approaches to Norms and International Law, Part 2: Postmodern ConstructivismCase Study of Postmodern Constructivism: Gender Inequality	March 24: Research question proposals due by 11:00 am at Wattle Turnitin
7	Human Rights: The Effects of Core International Human Rights TreatiesHuman Rights: The Hissène Habré (Africa’s Pinochet) Case	April 14: Proposal results and feedback returned via Wattle Turnitin
8	The Use of Force: Jus Ad Bellum The Use of Force: Jus In Bello(Public Holiday but Online Lecture via Wattle)	No forum: Week 8 forum has been moved to Week 12 (May 19) due to Easter Monday public holiday.
9	Trade: The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and the World Trade OrganizationTrade: The Dispute over Intellectual Property Rights in China
10	International Criminal Justice: The International Criminal Court	May 5: Research papers due by 11:00 am at Wattle Turnitin
11	Environment: General Principles Environment: Ozone Layer Depletion and Global Warming
12	Conclusion and Exam Review	Forum ends.May 26: Paper results and feedback returned via Wattle TurnitinTake-home final examination during the examination periodMay 29: Take-home essay exam paper to be released at 2:00 pm via WattleJune 5: Take-home essays due by 2:00 pm at Wattle Turnitin

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 so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Forum Participation	10 %	*	*	1,2,3,4
Research Question Proposal	15 %	24/03/2025	14/04/2025	1,2,3,4
Research Paper	40 %	05/05/2025	26/05/2025	1,2,3,4
Final Examination	35 %	05/06/2025	*	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 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.

Examination(s)

A take-home essay final exam will be administered during the examination period. Specifically, the take-home essay exam paper will be released to you via Wattle (the “Assessments” section) at 2:00 pm, 29 May 2025, and your take-home essays will be due by 2:00 pm, 5 June 2025 at Wattle Turnitin. More details of the final exam will be announced during the semester.

Assessment Task 1

Forum Participation

Due date: Nine (9) forums will be run in Weeks 2-3, 5-7, 9-12. Value: 10%

Forum participation marks will be based upon evidence of having done the assigned readings, evidence of having thought about the issues, contribution and participation in class and consideration and respect for other class members. Forum questions will be posted on Wattle in advance of each week to help guide thinking and the forum discussion. Please come prepared to share your own questions and thoughts about each week’s course materials, especially the readings, and to participate proactively in the exchange of ideas with your course convener and fellow students.

 

A roll will be called at each forum by the course convener. If you do not attend, it is not possible to gain participation marks. At the end of the semester, 1 point will be deducted from participation for each forum missed after the second (i.e. you can miss 2 forums without penalty). Accordingly, if you attend 5 forums total (missing 4), the maximum score you can get for participation is 7/9, given the 2-point deduction (and this assumes perfect participation for those forums you do attend).

 

Note that if you may arrive late in the forum session, it is your responsibility to double check whether your course convener has marked your presence.

Assessment Task 2

Research Question Proposal

Due date: Monday 24 March 2025, 11:00 am. Value: 15%

Details of task: Due to the Programs and Courses webpage's word limit, not all the information on the Course Outline I wish to offer for you can be displayed in this Class Summary. For the full details on the Research Question Proposal assessment task, you must see the Course Outline available in our course Wattle. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Assessment Task 3

Research Paper

Due date: Monday 5 May 2025, 11:00 am. Value: 40%

Details of task: Due to the Programs and Courses webpage's word limit, not all the information on the Course Outline I wish to offer for you can be displayed in this Class Summary. For the full details on the Research Paper assessment task, you must see the Course Outline available in our course Wattle. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Assessment Task 4

Final Examination

Start date: Thursday 29 May 2025, 2:00 pm. A take-home essay exam will be administered during the examination period. Specifically, the take-home essay exam paper will be released to you via Wattle (the “Assessments” section) at 2:00 pm, 29 May 2025.

 

Due date: Thursday 5 June 2025, 2:00 pm. Your course convener will not use Proctorio to administer the final exam. More details of the final exam will be announced during the semester.

 

Value: 35% of the final course grade

 

Grading Criteria:

(1) Your mastery of the course materials, including key theories and concepts;

(2) The quality of your argument; and

(3) The quality of your writing.

 

It is the College policy that all exams are blind marked and they are not returned to the students, nor are comments provided. You may contact the convener within 30 working days of the release of results to learn your specific exam mark, or to request an appeal. The structure of the final exam will be discussed during lecture.

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

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.

Note that the ANU does not permit late submission or extension for take-home examinations.

Per ANU policy (specifically, Article 27 of Policy: Student assessment (coursework)), “Late submission of take home examinations is not permitted.”

Per ANU policy (specifically, Article 32 of Policy: Student assessment (coursework)), “Extensions of take home examinations are not permitted.”

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

Assignments will be returned through the course Wattle site.

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

Online Submission: Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) a submission must be through Turnitin. Assignments are submitted using Turnitin in the course Wattle site. 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.

Students may resubmit their assignments on Turnitin once before the due date if they are not happy with their text-matching report. Turnitin allows only one resubmission per 24 hours. There are no other conditions under which assignments may be resubmitted.  

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