LWMTDS-International Dispute Settlement
Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 20 [10ECTS credits]
Level:
7
Terms in which taught: Spring
Module Convenor:
A
Thies
Pre-requisites: Registered for a postgraduate programme in Law or selected MA programmes or with permission of the Director of PGT Studies in Law.
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2009/0
Email: a.thies@reading.ac.uk
Aims:
The module aims at developing the legal knowledge and skills students need to understand and deal with international dispute settlement in its historical and political contexts. The module requires students to engage in discussion and written assignments, essential for both international practitioners’ work and in-depth studies of international law in its political context. The module helps students with some background in international law to contextualise their knowledge of different branches of international law. At the same time, the module aims to encourage students new to the field to analyse the political and legal framework in which states and other subjects of international law agree on their political and legal commitments and “enforce” each other’s international legal obligations.
Assessable learning outcomes:
On completion of the module, students will be expected to be able to:
Additional outcomes:
In addition to those listed in the School’s “core skills statement”, the module will encourage the development of:
Outline content:
The nature of international disputes as well as the role and dis/advantages of international dispute settlement mechanisms (e.g. negotiation, mediation, inquiry, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement) are explored. International treaties, cases and other legal, political and academic material are used to allow an in-depth study of international dispute settlement, its practical and theoretical implications and the specific characteristics of individual dispute settlement methods. Looking at the law and policy of international judicial bodies, the module addresses complex political and legal questions of increasing relevance for the relations between states, such as “forum shopping” and “compliance and enforcement”. The impact of international dispute settlement on the development of international law will also be considered.
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Teaching in this module is designed to provide students with a range of resources on which they can draw in their learning. The main elements are:
Where there are Faculty seminars relevant to the area then students in the module will be encouraged to attend and given the opportunity to discuss the issues with visiting academic presenters.
Contact hours:
| Autumn | Spring | Summer | |
| Lectures | |||
| Tutorials/seminars | 10 x 2 hours | ||
| Practicals | |||
| Other contact (eg study visits) | |||
| Total hours | 20 | ||
| Number of essays or assignments | 1 non-assessed essay | ||
| Other (eg major seminar paper) | Class presentation and participation |
Assessment:
Coursework
* Class presentation and participation in class throughout term, counting for 10% of the module mark.
Examinations
* A 3-hour exam counting for 90% of the module marks. 3 questions to be answered from a selection of 6 questions.
Requirements for a pass: 50% overall.
Reassessment arrangements: See LLM Programme Handbook and Law School Guide.
Last updated: 9 December 2009