LW2FIL: Foundations of International Law

Module code: LW2FIL

Module provider: School of Law

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Alex Gilder, email: a.f.gilder@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module is designed to introduce students to international law and the international legal system. It teaches the key foundational aspects of that system, such as the way in which international law is created (with a particular focus on treaties and customary international law), the subjects of the international legal system (the states of the world, but also international organisations, individuals and others), international dispute settlement mechanisms, how states are found responsible for breaches of international law, and gives critical appraisals of the global system. 

This module will elaborate upon how international law is formed and who it applies to. You will learn about the relationships between states, individuals, organisations, and other actors in the international system. You will also be challenged to think about international law critically and assess its development and its effectiveness using perspectives from the Global South, feminist perspectives and different political points of view.  

The module addresses both the practical and theoretical aspects of public international law and consequently considers how the public international law framework applies to contemporary situations. For example, you will look at topics that operate in international affairs everyday such as the use of force by states and international economic law. 

The module provides a starting point to give students core knowledge applicable to more specialised optional Part F modules in international law and to underpin the work on later international law projects, such as a dissertation in the subject.  However, it also aims to provide a holistic account of the core features of international law if taken in isolation. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a substantive knowledge of the foundational aspects of international law and how it functions.
2. Debate and critique the relative merits and demerits of the international legal system and the processes of international law.
3. Demonstrate the ability to critically analyse aspects of public international law using a broad range of sources including treaties, customary law, case law, leading theorists and academic commentators.
4. Apply substantive knowledge of international law to both real-world and fictional problem based scenarios.

Module content

The module will usually cover topics such as (subject to change): 

• The Sources of International Law 
• The Subjects of International Law 
• State Responsibility 
• Jurisdiction and Immunities 
• The Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes 
• The Use of Force 
• The Law of the Sea 
• International Economic Law  
• Critical Approaches to International Law 
• The Politics of International Law 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module is taught by way of lectures, workshops and tutorials. You will have a 2-hour lecture per week for 11 weeks, 5 two-hour workshops, and 5 one-hour tutorials. In addition, there will be several blended activities such as research exercises, assessment preparation sessions, ad guest lectures. 

Study hours

At least 37 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

One 2-page non-assessed essay plan formatted in accordance with the rules set out in the Law School Guide (programme assessment). 

Reassessment

Additional costs