On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1	Develop a knowledge of the nature of public international law and the structure of the international legal system
2	Define and apply the basic elements of public international law - its sources and subjects, the recognition and jurisdiction of States in international law and principles of State responsibility
3	Develop a knowledge of several key areas of ‘public international law’ including the law surrounding the use of force and human rights and treaty interpretation.
4	Develop a knowledge of how international law influences the development and adaptation of Australian domestic law through legislative, executive and judicial action
5	Critically examine the operation and application of international law in practical contexts
6	Develop effective skills, both orally and in writing, in the construction of legal argument and the independent and self directed analysis on issues of international law

Stephen Hall, Principles of International Law (LexisNexis Butterworths, 5th ed, 2017). THis is a basic text for reference.  However core readings will be available via my uni under each  teaching module.

The law library has an extensive collection of international law textbooks, many of which are held on Reserve. I would recommend starting with the following texts if you require further information on one of the topics addressed in the course:

• James Crawford, Brownlie’s Principles of Public International Law (Oxford University Press, 8th ed, 2012).
• Donald R Rothwell et al, International Law: Cases and Materials with Australian Perspectives (Cambridge University Press, 2011).
• Gillian D Triggs, International Law: Contemporary Principles and Practices (LexisNexis Butterworths, 2nd ed, 2010).
• Vaughan Lowe, International Law (Oxford University Press, 2007).
• Malcolm N Shaw, International Law (Cambridge University Press, 6th ed, 2008).
• Peter Malanczuk (ed), Akehurst’s Modern Introduction to International Law (Routledge, 7th rev ed, 1997).
• Donald K Anton, Penelope Mathew and Wayne Morgan, International Law: Cases and Materials (Oxford University Press, 2005).
• Sam Blay, Ryszard Piotrowicz and Martin Tsamenyi, Public International Law: An Australian Perspective (Oxford University Press, 2nd ed, 2005).
• Robert Jennings and Arthur Watts (eds), Oppenheim’s International Law (Longman, 9th ed, 1992).
• David Harris, Cases and Materials on International Law (Sweet and Maxwell, 7th ed, 2010).
• Anthony E Cassimatis et al, An Australian Companion to Harris (Lawbook Co, 2nd ed, 2011).
• Martin Dixon, Textbook on International Law (Oxford University Press, 6thed, 2007).
• Antonio Cassese, International Law (Oxford University Press, 2nd ed, 2005).
• Australian Guide to Legal Citation (Melbourne University Law Review Association, 3rd ed, 2010)

MyUni will be used to post announcements, additional lecture materials (including slides, and where available, recordings of lectures) and announce assignment tasks. It will also contain electronic copies of the Course Profile and Course Materials.

Students are expected to check MyUni regularly to keep up to date with these materials and additional learning resources throughout the course.

For most topics, the first hour will be devoted to an interactive discussion of either an important case on that topic or of a relevant article or commentary addressing that topic, while the second will involve discussion of questions (both conceptual and practical/problem-based) on the topic. There will be a detailed outline given in class to guide each day of teaching.

The University expects full-time students (i.e. those taking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies. This means that you are expected to commit approximately 10 hours of private study in addition to your regular classes.

 Public International Law - Topic Outline

	9-11am	12-2pm	3-5pm
Friday	Nature and Development of International Law;  Contemporary examples of current debates surrounding International Law.	The Law of Treaties; Competing roles for Interpretation using case examples.	Case Study: The International law governing the use of Armed Drones.
Saturday	The legality of the  Use of Force in International Law and the role of the Security Council. The concept of Responsibility to Protect.	Case example reviewing; The Legal Justifications for the  Iraq War, and exploring the nature of collective secuirty.	Case study; The Chilcott report and Compliance with International Humanitarian Law.
Friday	Group Presentations	Introduction to the Role of the United Nations and Methods of Promoting Peace through international law, including peaceful settlement of international disputes. Introduction to International Law and International Human Rights.	Case studies on UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights.
Saturday	Business and Human Rights	Selected Case Studies on Human Rights, including the right to sanitation.	Overview and revision and discussion of research essays.

Assessment Item	% of Final Mark	Individual/Group	Due Date	Redeemable	Course Learning Outcome
Class Presentation (Compulsory)	10%	Group	Friday 7th September in class	No	1-4
Current Issues Analysis, 1,500 word limit (Optional)	25%	Indvidual	Tuesday 4th September 4.00pm	Yes	2.5.6
Research Essay, 5,500 word limit*, from a list of approved topics (Compulsory)	65% or 90%	Individual	Monday 22nd October 4.00pm	No	1-6

*Students who have completed the Current Issues Analysis and received a mark of at least 50% for that assessment may apply to the Course Coordinator for approval to submit a Research Essay of 4,000 words.

1. Group Presentation  (10%, Compulsory, NOT Redeemable)

In order for our interactive class discussions to be as productive as possible, 10% of each student's final grade will be based on their group presentation, the topic of which will be a synthesis of course material covered to that point in the course. 

2. Current Issues Analysis (25%, Optional, Redeemable)

International law is an exciting field in which new challenges are always presented. Students are invited to prepare a legal analysis of current issues in international law raised in newspaper or internet article(s) on a public international law topic and originally published in the 12 months prior to the course commencing.

3. Research Essay (65% or 90%, Compulsory)

The primary assessment in this course will be a research essay, to be chosen from a list of approved topics (or on a topic approved by the Course Coordinator on application).

Standard Adelaide Law School submission requirements apply. Specific information will be provided in the assessment instructions for each item of assessment.

Courses for which a result of conceded pass has been obtained may not be presented towards the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Laws or the Honours Degree of Bachelor of Laws programs, or any postgraduate law program, nor to satisfy prerequisite requirements within any law course.

Finality of Assessment Grades

Students are advised that Course Coordinators will not enter into negotiations of any kind with any student regarding changes to their grades. It is irrelevant, in any given circumstance, that only a minimal number of additional marks are required to inflate a student’s grade for any individual assessment item or course as a whole. Pursuant to the University’s Assessment for Coursework Programs Policyand the Adelaide Law School Assessment Policies and Procedures, grades may only be varied through the appropriate channels for academic review (such as an official re-mark).

Moderation

In accordance with the University’s Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy, course coordinators ‘ensure that appropriate marking guidelines and cross-marking moderation processes across markers are in place’ in each course. Procedures adopted by Adelaide Law School to ensure consistency of marking in courses with multiple markers include:

• assurance of the qualifications of markers, and their knowledge of the content covered in each course;
• detailed marking guidelines and assessment rubrics to assist in the marking of items of assessment;
• sharing of example marked assessments at various grade bands across markers;
• reviewing of selected marked assessments from each marker by the course coordinator;
• comparison of the marks and their distribution across markers;
• automatic double-marking of all interim assessment receiving a fail grade, and of final assessments where a student’s overall result is a fail grade;
• the availability of re-marking of assessments in accordance with Adelaide Law School’s Assessment Policies and Procedures.

Approval of Results by Board of Examiners

Students are reminded that all assessment results are subject to approval (and possible moderation/change) by the Law School’s Board of Examiners. Assessment results at the University are not scaled. Under the Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy, students are assessed ‘by reference to their performance against pre-determined criteria and standards … and not by ranking against the performance of the student cohort in the course’. However, under that same policy, the Board of Examiners (as the relevant Assessment Review Committee for courses at Adelaide Law School) is required to ‘ensure comparability of standards and consistency’ in assessment. On occasions, the Board of Examiners will form the view that some moderation is required to ensure the comparability of standards and consistency across courses and years, and accordingly provide fairness to all law students. All assessment results are therefore subject to approval (and possible change) until confirmed by the Board of Examiners and posted on Access Adelaide at the end of each semester.

The University Writing Centre provides academic learning and language development services and resources for local, international, undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students enrolled at the University of Adelaide.

The centre offers practical advice and strategies for students to master reading, writing, note-taking, time management, oral presentation skills, referencing techniques and exam preparation for success at university through seminars, workshops and individual consultations.

Lex Salus Program

Lex Salus (law and wellbeing) is an initiative of the Adelaide Law School aimed at destigmatising mental health issues; promoting physical, mental and emotional wellness; building a strong community of staff and students; and celebrating diversity within the school. It also seeks to promote wellness within the legal profession, through the involvement of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of South Australia, the Honourable Chris Kourakis, as the official Patron of the program.

Students can participate in the Lex Salus program by attending barbecue lunches, pancake breakfasts, knitting and crochet circles, seminars, guest speakers, conferences and other activities. Our Facebook page, website and regular all-student emails promote upcoming events, and have tips and information on wellness.

Our Lex Salus YouTube channel also includes videos on topics like managing stress, and interviews with LGBTQ lawyers and their supporters which celebrate diversity and individuality. Students who commit to 10 hours of volunteering with Lex Salus in one year can have their service recognised on their academic transcript and through a thank you morning tea with the Chief Justice and law school staff.

Student Life Counselling Support

The University’s Student Life Counselling Support service provides free and confidential service to all enrolled students. We encourage you to contact the Student Life Counselling Support service on 8313 5663 to make an appointment to deal with any issues that may be affecting your study and life.

Academic Honesty

Academic dishonesty is a serious act of academic misconduct. All students must be familiar with the University’s Academic Honesty Policy.

Academic dishonesty is a serious matter and is treated as such by the Law School and the University. Academic dishonesty (which goes beyond plagiarism) can be a ground for a refusal by the Supreme Court of South Australia to admit a person to practice as a legal practitioner in South Australia.

Academic honesty is an essential aspect of ethical and honest behaviour, which is central to the practice of the law and an understanding of what it is to be a lawyer.