Alert for students
THIS TOPIC WILL FIRST BE OFFERED IN 2026.
Overview
This topic introduces students to international law and the way in which international law operates globally and within Australia's legal system and prepares them for an involvement with international and cross-border law. This topic covers 'public international law'; however, this topic also briefly introduces students to the operation of private … For more content click the Read More button below.
This topic offers a foundational framework of international law which gives students the required knowledge to study many other specialised areas of international law, such as International Criminal Law, International Humanitarian Law, International Environmental Law, International Trade and Economic Law, among other existing and emerging areas of international law.
The topic also provides students with the specific knowledge required to enrol in mooting and advocacy topics, such as the Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition.
Aims
This topic aims to:
- Introduce the vocabulary and concepts of international law, which regulates relations between States, and the way in which it is distinguished from private international law
- Introduce students to international law and the operation of global, domestic, and comparative legal systems in the era of globalisation
- Examine the role that legal concerns play in times of peace and crisis and how international law is affected by its political context
- Cover topics such as sources of international law, state responsibility, sovereignty, the use of force and peaceful settlement of international disputes
- Develop a detailed understanding of the role that international law plays in domestic legal systems, particularly in Australia
Learning outcomes
On completion of this topic you will be expected to be able to:
1.
Describe the structure, institutions, principles and vocabulary of international law
2.
Identify the sources of international law and critically analyse debates between the developed and the developing worlds about the validity of the sources of international law
3.
Critically evaluate the international legal implications of current events and Australian foreign policy and apply persuasive international legal arguments in a domestic and international context
4.
Solve problems relating to the relationship between the international and national legal systems
5.
Explain the concept and analyse implications of statehood in international law, particularly the notions of international personality, recognition, and acquisition of territory, state jurisdiction and responsibility
6.
Contribute to debates concerning the law regulating armed conflict and the peaceful resolution of disputes