Course description
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this programme, students should have acquired a more sophisticated understanding of the international legal system, international law-making processes, the diverse functions of international law in contemporary society, differing approaches to the subject, and a greater familiarity with research materials and methods.
How You Will Be Taught
Courses will be taught by seminar. Students are expected to prepare in advance by reading the required materials and by reflecting on the issues to be discussed. For the dissertation, students will be allocated a supervisor, who will provide guidance and support. The purpose of the dissertation, however, is to allow students independently to design and conduct a piece of research and analysis.
The Format
The LLM in International Law consists of (a) compulsory and optional courses amounting to 120 credits in total of which at least 80 credits must be courses from the LLM in International Law list and (b) a dissertation of not more than 10,000 words on an approved topic in international law. All taught courses are assessed mainly or exclusively by essay.
Compulsory courses: You must take at least one full course (40 credits) from the list* below. You may take up to three full courses from the same list (total 120 credits). Students who have not previously studied international law may find it helpful to take Fundamental Issues in International Law.
Optional courses: You may take either two or four half courses (20 credits each) from the list** below, in combination with one or two full courses from the list* below (total 120 credits). If taking half courses you will have to chose an equal number of 1st semester and 2nd semester credits.
Other courses: You may take any other non-international law LLM courses up to a total of 40 credits.
The Courses
*/ Compulsory courses (at least one of the following):
Full courses (40 credits)(Semesters 1 and 2):
1. Fundamental Issues in International Law
2. International Environmental Law
3. International Criminal Law
4. European and International Human Rights Law
**/ Optional Courses:
Full Year Courses (40 credits): see list * above
One Semester Courses (20 credits):
First Semester:
1. International Investment Law
2. Law of Climate Change
3. United Nations Law note: not running in 2008-2009
4. International Relations Theory (1st semester)(School of Politics)* [Limited access]
Second Semester:
1. International Intellectual Property System note: not running in 2008-2009
2. Law of the Sea
3. WTO Law
Further information on other LLM courses to be offered from 2008-2009 can be found here.
Note: while every effort is made to ensure that all courses which are indicated as being on offer will be taught, the University reserves the right to alter the list of offerings in order to respond to staff changes and other similar developments.
