Overview
Globalisation, economic liberalisation and technological advances have in the last three decades facilitated greater interaction and cooperation among States in ways never seen before. There is a greater awareness among States of their interdependence and the need for a concerted response to global issues such as global warming, environmental degradation, humanitarian crises, international refugees, human rights violations, rogue States, terrorism, military adventurism, and pandemics. In this era and context, Public International Law, which provides a regime of legal rules that governs the conduct and relations of sovereign States, and Human Rights Law have gained increasing importance. This unit will introduce you to Public International and Human Rights Law and their importance in the current legal and economic international order. It covers such topics as the sources of international law; subjects of international law; statehood and recognition of States and governments; territorial sovereignty; the law of the sea; international trade law; State responsibility; human rights and self-determination; international criminal justice; the law of treaties; and use of force.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisites: LAWS11057, LAWS11059, LAWS11061, LAWS11062, LAWS11063, LAWS11064, LAWS11060 and (LAWS11065 or LAWS12055)
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 3 - 2018
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Unit Evaluation Report
Group Presentations
Some students felt that doing group presentations, which were part of the assessments, during the tutorials deprived them of learning opportunities. This might be partly correct, although the group presentations at which there were discussions and questions-and-answers actually provided learning opportunities. Perhaps in future if there are group presentations, these might have to be set in addition to the class tutorials.
Feedback from Unit Evaluation Report
Group Work
There were those who had the view that group assessments disadvantaged the more committed and academically-inclined students. In future, if there are group assessments -- which are in fact crucial to developing teamwork -- they should comprise only 25%-30% of the final grade.
Feedback from Unit Evaluation Report
Assessments
The unit employed an innovative integrated assessment system, involving three assessments that revolved around one major topic chosen by students. It was hypothesised that the innovative assessments would lead to higher student involvement and better unit completions. These results were achieved, given the 100% unit completion rate. However, the student feedback was not positive. Hence, in future, sticking to traditional modes of assessments is likely to lead to better student evaluations, although unit completions might not be as high.
- Discuss and explain key topics of Public International and Human Rights Law, such as: the sources and subjects of international law; statehood and State sovereignty; international trade law; State responsibility; human rights and self-determination; and the law of treaties
- Discuss, explain and apply key principles of Public International and Human Rights Law to real and theoretical contexts
- Critically analyse, research and provide solutions to practical and theoretical questions concerning Public International and Human Rights Law.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Group Discussion - 10% | |||
| 2 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 40% | |||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 50% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||
| 5 - Team Work | |||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Group Discussion - 10% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 50% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
International Law: Text, Cases, and Materials
Edition: 2nd (2014)
Authors: Ademola Abass
Oxford University Press
Oxford Oxford , United Kingdom
ISBN: 978-0-19-967907-2
Binding: Paperback
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Australian Guide to Legal Citation, 3rd ed
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
m.oyson@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
International law in the modern context
Chapter
Ademola Abass, International Law: Text, Cases, and Materials (Oxford University Press, 2nd ed, 2014) Chapter 1.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Sources of international law
Chapter
Ademola Abass, International Law: Text, Cases, and Materials (Oxford University Press, 2nd ed, 2014) Chapter 2.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The law of treaties
Chapter
Ademola Abass, International Law: Text, Cases, and Materials (Oxford University Press, 2nd ed, 2014) Chapter 3.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Territory and the law of the sea
Chapter
Ademola Abass, International Law: Text, Cases, and Materials (Oxford University Press, 2nd ed, 2014) Chapter 6.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Jurisdiction
Chapter
Ademola Abass, International Law: Text, Cases, and Materials (Oxford University Press, 2nd ed, 2014) Chapter 7.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Immunity
Chapter
Ademola Abass, International Law: Text, Cases, and Materials (Oxford University Press, 2nd ed, 2014) Chapter 8.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The law of use of force
Chapter
Ademola Abass, International Law: Text, Cases, and Materials (Oxford University Press, 2nd ed, 2014) Chapter 10.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
International humanitarian law
Chapter
Ademola Abass, International Law: Text, Cases, and Materials (Oxford University Press, 2nd ed, 2014) Chapter 12.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
International criminal law
Chapter
Ademola Abass, International Law: Text, Cases, and Materials (Oxford University Press, 2nd ed, 2014) Chapter 16.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
International human rights
Chapter
Ademola Abass, International Law: Text, Cases, and Materials (Oxford University Press, 2nd ed, 2014) Chapter 19.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
States’ obligation to respect human rights
Chapter
Olivier De Schutter, International Human Rights Law (Cambridge University Press, 2nd ed, 2014) Chapter 1.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Revision
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Take Home Paper Due: Week 12 Friday (8 Feb 2019) 6:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Group Discussion
For this individual assessment, there will be a weekly online multiple-choice quiz throughout the Term corresponding to the respective topics of weeks 2 to 11, comprising a total of ten (10) weekly quizzes. Each weekly quiz involves one multiple-choice question (case-type or conceptual). Students are given two attempts to arrive at the correct answer.
Each weekly online quiz, which comprises 1% of the final grade, shall be opened and made visible to students at the start of each week (Monday) at about 11 a.m. The first quiz corresponding to the week 2 topic shall be opened and made visible in week 2 or particularly on 12 November (Monday). The second quiz corresponding to the week 3 topic shall then be opened and made visible on 19 November (Monday), et seq.
Students have seven calendar days (or until Monday at 11 am, QLD time) to answer each weekly online quiz. After the lapse of the seven-day period, students shall lose the opportunity to answer the quiz for that particular week. Given that each quiz only comprises one percent of the grade and that students have one week to do a quiz, there will be no extension whatsoever to do a quiz nor can a special quiz be arranged under any circumstance. The answer to a quiz shall be made visible immediately at the end of the seven-day period to do a quiz. There will be no online quiz during the mid-term break.
In order to assist students in preparing for the quiz, there will be a group work at the weekly tutorial that addresses the key concept(s) assessed in the quiz.
Week 12 Monday (4 Feb 2019) 11:00 am AEST
Students have seven calendar days (or until Monday at 11 am, QLD time of each week) to answer each weekly online quiz.
Exam Week Monday (11 Feb 2019)
The answer to a quiz shall be made visible immediately at the end of the seven-day period to do a quiz.
Each answer shall be assessed simply according to whether it is correct or incorrect.
- Discuss and explain key topics of Public International and Human Rights Law, such as: the sources and subjects of international law; statehood and State sovereignty; international trade law; State responsibility; human rights and self-determination; and the law of treaties
- Discuss, explain and apply key principles of Public International and Human Rights Law to real and theoretical contexts
- Critically analyse, research and provide solutions to practical and theoretical questions concerning Public International and Human Rights Law.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Presentation and Written Assessment
This individual assessment involves answering three case-type questions that will cover any of the topics up to week 5. The questions will be released on 14 December (Friday) at 6 pm and are due one week after on 21 December (Friday) at 6 pm. The total word count for the answers, including footnotes, should not exceed 1,500 words.
Week 6 Friday (21 Dec 2018) 6:00 pm AEST
Week 8 Friday (11 Jan 2019)
This assessment will be assessed according to the following criteria: correct and thorough identification of the legal issue(s) (10%) and rules/legal principles (30%); correct and thorough analysis and application of the rules and legal principles to the legal issue(s) and facts (40%); well thought-out conclusion (10%); and quality of the language usage and observance of proper structure, format, and instructions (10%). A detailed marking rubric is available on the Moodle site.
- Discuss and explain key topics of Public International and Human Rights Law, such as: the sources and subjects of international law; statehood and State sovereignty; international trade law; State responsibility; human rights and self-determination; and the law of treaties
- Discuss, explain and apply key principles of Public International and Human Rights Law to real and theoretical contexts
- Critically analyse, research and provide solutions to practical and theoretical questions concerning Public International and Human Rights Law.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
3 Written Assessment
This final individual online take home paper involves answering four case-type questions. Students are given a non-extendible period of 24 hours within which to submit their answers to the questions. The total word count for the answers, including footnotes, should not exceed 2,500 words.
The take home paper questions will be released and made available in Moodle on 7 February (Thursday) at 12 noon (Qld time) and the answers must be submitted on 8 February (Friday) at 12 noon (Qld time). The answers must be saved in MS Word (not as a PDF) in the following format: LastName_FirstName.docx.
No late submission is permitted. Following university policy, in the absence of an approved extension at the sole discretion of the Deputy Dean (Learning and Teaching), there will be no opportunity to complete the task after this date, nor will there be an opportunity to apply any late penalty.
Week 12 Friday (8 Feb 2019) 6:00 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (15 Feb 2019)
Per university policy, the marked assessment will be returned to students only after the Certification of Grades as stated in the university academic calendar.
This assessment will be assessed according to the following criteria: correct and thorough identification of the legal issue(s) (10%) and rules/legal principles (30%); correct and thorough analysis and application of the rules and legal principles to the legal issue(s) and facts (40%); well thought-out conclusion (10%); and quality of the language usage and observance of proper structure, format, and instructions (10%). A detailed marking rubric is available on the Moodle site.
- Discuss and explain key topics of Public International and Human Rights Law, such as: the sources and subjects of international law; statehood and State sovereignty; international trade law; State responsibility; human rights and self-determination; and the law of treaties
- Discuss, explain and apply key principles of Public International and Human Rights Law to real and theoretical contexts
- Critically analyse, research and provide solutions to practical and theoretical questions concerning Public International and Human Rights Law.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
