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Introduction to international law that applies to states and other international legal persons and provides the framework for international diplomacy in times of peace and war.
This course begins with an introduction to the nature and purpose of public international law and introduces students to its functions and to selected theories of international law. Student will be introduced to the key players within the international system, namely entities in possession of international personality such as states, international organisations and, to a much lesser extent, individuals. Other entities that have informal or soft influence such as NGOs, multinational corporations and indigenous peoples groups will also be examined. Students will go on to examine the to sources of public international law including custom, treaties and sources harder to categorise such as ‘soft law’. Other topics covered by this course include selected fundamental principles of the international legal system, the relationship between national and international law, jurisdiction, state responsibility and the options available for the purpose of dispute settlement and responding to breaches of international obligations. Material will be anchored by a topical case study.
The objectives of LAWS324 Principles of Public International Law are to enable you to:1. Demonstrate a basic and systematic understanding of the elementary principles, processes and institutions of public international law including the nature of international legal ‘knowledge’ and ‘norms’;2. Critically analyse and evaluate public international law within a social, political and theoretical context including the principles and values of justice within the system;3. Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of the theory and practice of public international law through a critical evaluation of primary materials and relevant scholarship in the field;4. Demonstrrate a basic and systematic understanding of the relationship between internationl law and colonialism and how that relationship impacts international law today.5. Identify and articulate legal issues,6. Apply legal reasoning and research to generate appropriate responses to legal issues,7. Engage in critical analysis and make a reasoned choice amongst alternatives, 8. Think creatively in approaching legal issues and generating appropriate responses,9. Develop an ability to exercise a professional judgment.10. Demonstrate intellectual and practical skills needed to identify, research, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual, legal and policy issues.11. Communicate in ways that are effective, appropriate and persuasive for legal audiences.12. Learn and work independently.
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award
Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
Employable, innovative and enterprising
Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.
Biculturally competent and confident
Students will be aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relevance to their area of study and/or their degree.
Globally aware
Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.
LAWS342, LAWS375 (prior to 2006)
LAWS202-LAWS206
Students must attend one activity from each section.
Karen Scott
Domestic fee $946.00
International fee $4,850.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Faculty of Law .