LAW47615: HISTORY AND THEORY OF INTERNATIONAL LAW

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• To develop an understanding of the history and theory of international law. The course will introduce students to the history of international law, the debates over how and why to study the past, the use of history as theory in international law, and the history of certain specific topics. The content will vary according to the expertise of the teaching team.

• A SELECTION OF TOPICS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS WILL RUN IN EACH YEAR:
• Debates over history and theory of international law;
• How the history of international law is written;
• The origins of international law;
• The history of human rights;
• The history of international organisations;
• Colonialism and international law;
• Eurocentrism in the history of international law;
• Decolonising the history of international law;
• Gender in the history of international law;
• The history of specific regimes such as law of the sea, humanitarian law, international criminal law, international trade law.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Students will have:
• An in-depth and critical understanding of aspects of the history and theory of international law;
• A thorough knowledge of the intellectual topography of selected issues in the history of international law;
• A demonstrably in-depth knowledge of certain key issues;
• A familiarity with the secondary literature and debates surrounding key issues.

Subject-specific Skills:

• Students should be able to:
• Interpret and critically evaluate different approaches and understandings of the history of international law;
• Identify key themes in the history of international law in general;
• Appreciate how history influences our understanding and application of international law today.

Key Skills:

• On completion of the module students should be able to:
• Demonstrate an ability to understand and critically analyse a wide variety of complex issues, drawing on historical and theoretical materials;
• Develop expertise in conducting research into materials from a variety of national and international sources;
• Use effective techniques of information retrieval and management using an array of print and digital resources;
• Demonstrate an independent approach to learning and problem-solving;
• Formulate written complex arguments in clear, articulate and structured English in an effective way, within the discursive conventions of academic writing and written to high academic standards;
• Formulate complex arguments and communicate them orally through in class discussions and debates;
• Describe accurately and comprehensibly the arguments and analysis of other commentators;
• Demonstrate an ability to explore complex issues creatively in writing.

• The teaching will be based on seminars supported by in-depth but targeted reading drawn from both primary and secondary sources;
• Seminars will be accompanied by a list of key questions which students will use as signposts to guide them in their independent learning. Seminars will then focus on these questions through a mixture of class discussions and in-class exercises;
• The method of assessment will test students ability to meet the relevant learning outcomes. The summative essay will require independent research, and will assess the extent to which students have developed an overall grasp of the subject matter, will test their ability to engage in scholarly research and critical analysis through a structured argument;
• The formative essay will assist in preparation for the summative essay;
• Feedback on the formative and summative assessment to be provided in accordance with Law School feedback policies.

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