LWMIGG: International Organisations and Global Governance

Module code: LWMIGG

Module provider: School of Law

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Vicky Kapogianni, email: v.kapogianni@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: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module identifies, examines, and critically evaluates a number of key international organisations as well as interdisciplinary content on their role in global governance. The module covers relevant legal principles, ranging from the creation of an international organisation with separate legal personality, its outputs and role in the global order, its legal obligations and dispute settlement, recognising the historical, political and economic context in which organisations operate and interact with other subjects of the international legal order. The module is taught through a focus on different international organisations as case studies throughout the module, and with the development of thematic understanding throughout the module. 

The module focuses on international organisations and global governance. Traditionally, states have been the primary actors within the international legal order. However, and particularly since the creation of the United Nations (UN) in 1945, the roles and influences of international organisations have steadily grown, with the consequence that they have become significant legal actors in their own rights. The nature and scope of these organisations vary, ranging from universal organisations such as the UN, to regional ones like the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU), to intergovernmental ones that focus on specific thematic issues areas, like NATO does in relation to peace and security and the World Trade Organization (WTO) in relation to trade. Each of those organisations plays a different role in global governance and the global order. This module identifies, examines, and critically evaluates a number of key international organisations. The module covers relevant legal principles, ranging from the creation of an international organisation with separate legal personality, its outputs and role in the global order, its legal obligations and dispute settlement, recognising the historical, political and economic context in which organisations operate and interact with other subjects of the international legal order. The module is taught through a focus on different international organisations as case studies throughout the module, and with the development of thematic understanding throughout the module. The module aims to develop students’ key skillsets, including by engaging in discussion, independent research and creativity required for the podcast, and through the written assessment. 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. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate a sound substantive knowledge of international organisations and global governance, including many of the principal underpinning principles and laws, gained through both class participation and self-study. 
2. Critically analyse and assess the activities, outputs, and influences of international organisations, particularly in terms of their law-making contributions as well as related responsibilities and accountability under international law

Module content

The module will explore different international organisations, with a case study focus on each one. It will be team taught, drawing upon the expertise that different members of staff have on different parts of the global order. The students will be introduced to basic principles of international law relevant to all international organisations, and will learn about the development of such organisations drawing upon legal history, political science, and international relations. The module will expose students to a broad range of organisations, such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, regional organisations, peace and security organisations, and development organisations, Throughout the module students will develop an understanding of the roles such organisations play in the global order, their interactions with other key actors including states, their strengths and limitations for addressing societal challenges, and issues arising in relation to dispute settlement and accountability.  

Structure

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: 

• A list of required and recommended readings, with notes and questions that will be used to guide class discussion and reflection. 
• 22 hours of seminars and 8 hours of blended activities 
• Students will be given two independent research assignments in the form of creating a podcast and undertaking a written assessment relevant to one or more topics examined during the module. 

Study hours

At least 22 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 50% 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.

Reassessment

Additional costs