ObjectivesThis course offers a programme of legal and political study which provides a conceptual framework for the study of the international relations of states that enables students to recognise and appreciate the overall mosaic of law and politics in the international sphere and permits detailed study of some aspects of law. As well as specific knowledge of international law and international relations, you should acquire the intellectual and practical skills expected of students with a postgraduate qualification. The course will help you to delineate and evaluate issues, select relevant materials and produce arguments encompassing policy, existing practice and knowledge at an advanced level. It will also help you to develop practical, generic and personal transferable skills necessary to conduct independent research.
Academic titleLL.M International Law and World Order
Course descriptionTransferable skills
You are encouraged to act independently in planning tasks and use feedback to reflect on your performance and re-assess the appropriateness of current levels of knowledge and skill. You are expected to acquire an ability to think analytically, to develop frameworks for considering and resolving complex problems, and to discriminate between good and bad arguments. In addition, as a law graduate, you will be used to presenting arguments (both technical and general) orally and in writing and should be able to present such arguments clearly and concisely. You will be able to research a variety of sources in libraries and on the internet, and, in particular, to research and assess academic literature. Particular elements of the programme expose students to the use of information technology and encourage the development of general professional capabilities including recognition of deadlines and time management.
Programme content
The programme consists of 180 credits, comprising a taught element (120 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits).
Within the taught element there are three core modules: LWMTIL International Law in Theory and Practice (20 credits), LWMTCI Contemporary Issues in International Law (10 credits) and LWMTRM Research Methods (30 credits).
The remaining 60 credits of the taught element are comprised of optional modules. The other 30 credits may be taken from a set range of Master's and Honours level modules from the Law School, the Graduate Institute for Political and International Studies (GIPIS) and other Departments.
Compulsory Modules
Dissertation
Research Methods International Law in Theory and Practice
Contemporary Issues in International Law
Optional Law School modules (subject to availability in any given year)
International Dispute Settlement International Human Rights Law International Law and Terrorism
Prosecuting International Crimes: Contemporary Issues and Problems
War Law
European Legal Frameworks: Constitutionalism, Democracy and Citizenship
EU Environmental Law
EU Labour and Equality Law
The Single Market: Trade and Commerce in an Integrated Europe
Intellectual Property International and European Aspects of Intellectual Property International Children's Rights: Law and Politics
Advanced Legal Writing
* enrolment in this module requires permission of Director of PGT in Law
Optional modules from Graduate Institute in Politics and International Studies (GIPIS) (subject to availability in any given year) . All of these modules are 30 Credits.
Conflict and Conflict Resolution
Contemporary Diplomacy
Domestic and Foreign Policies of the Middle East
International Politics of the Asia Pacific
International Relations of the Mediterranean International Security Studies
Modern Strategy
Strategic Theory
Terrorism and Security
The UN Humanitarian Intervention and Contemporary Warfare
War, Peace and International Ethics
For descriptions of modules see the GIPIS postgraduate modules or for a full list of all the Law School postgraduate modules
Part-time/Modular arrangements
The programme can be taken part-time over two years. In the first year of study, a student will be required to complete the core modules LWMTIL International Law in Theory and Practice and LWMTCI Current Issues in International Law, and further optional modules totalling no less than 30 credits and no more than 60 credits. In the second year of study, a student will be required to complete the core module LWMTRM Research Methods, and any remaining optional modules, and the LWMTDI Dissertation module. The programme may not be completed over more than two years.
Career prospects
While very many law graduates take professional exams in law and go on to practise law either in the UK or abroad, many others pursue alternative careers. This is particularly the case with those who have chosen to pursue a postgraduate qualification in law. A postgraduate law degree does not disqualify you from any career open to non-specialist graduates and the skills it engenders are in great demand from non-legal employers. Equally, a postgraduate law degree will open many doors in more specialised areas of employment such as international and European governmental and non-governmental organisations, academia (with further postgraduate study), the media (journalism and broadcasting), the civil service and other branches of public service.
Please note that the programme description will soon be updated for entry to the 2008 LL.M programmes.