International Law and International Relations

Transcription

1 International Law and International Relations Final award LLM Intermediate awards available UCAS code N/A Details of professional body accreditation Relevant QAA Benchmark statements Date specification last up-dated July 2014 Profile The summary - programme advertising leaflet Programme content The LLM International Law and International Relations offers students the opportunity to engage with the role of law in international affairs. The inter-relations between international law and international relations have become increasingly intense in the decade since September 2001 as both legal and political responses to threats to international peace and security have been coordinated through the United Nations and regional organizations. This programme provides students with a high quality education in both international law and international relations. It places great emphasis on the inter-relations of both disciplines on issues such as international and regional organizations, regulation of the use of force, terrorism, the protection of the environment, racial and gender equality, national identity, globalization, international human rights, postcolonialism and conflict resolution. Specialist studies in areas such the ecology, the Middle East and Islam will be available. LLM International and International Relations at UEL The areas of International law and International relations have been developed by specialists in their field who have published widely including books on the modern state, international environment, international law after September , the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the African Human Rights system, Islam, Human Rights and Land law. The teaching team comprises of staff who acted as consultants to international organizations and held visiting professor positions in the Middle East, Africa and South and South East Asia. Admission requirements A good degree in law, social sciences or humanities or another appropriate discipline. In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, or whose first degree has not been studied in English medium, then IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required. International

2 qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes. Programme structure There are two core 30 credit modules, one 60 credit dissertation of 15,000 words and two optional 30 credit modules. The total programme amounts to 180 credits and is available one year full-time or two years part-time. Core modules are: Current Issues and Research in International Law and Critical International Relations; two modules can be selected from any available LLM International Law or MSc International Relations module. Learning environment The programme is delivered by specialists in their field and the modules are informed by this research. Students will also benefit from the activities of the Centre on Human Rights in Conflict and the Centre for Migration, Refugees and Belonging which include regular seminar series. The UEL library is well stocked with books and journals in international law and international relations and students have access to a wide range of electronic resources and legal data bases. Teaching will be conducted through lectures, workshops, seminars and supervisions. Students will be provided with module guides and lectures will be podcast supported by UEL Plus. Assessment The programme is assessed through a range of assessments including essays, research diaries, case studies, book reviews, oral presentations and a dissertation. Relevance to work/profession The LLM International Law and International Relations will useful qualification for work in the legal profession, the public service, NGOs, the media and education. Thesis/Dissertation/project work The dissertation is 15,000 words. Added value Taught by specialists in the field who are active researchers whose work was graded as international recognized and above in the RAE 2008 Your future career Equips you with critical skills and knowledge in important areas How we support you On joining, students receive a helpful induction programme. This will explain the facilities and services available, orient students in the university and help students choose their modules.

3 Special workshops are also provided to guide students on the preparation of their dissertations. Teaching is supported by on-line learning and pod-casting of lectures. The School offers a specialist employability officer to advise students about their options after graduation. Students have access to resources at UEL library and the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. The University also offers extensive support services including financial advice, careers advice, counselling and learning support. Bonus factors The programme is taught by specialists whose published work was assessed as of international recognition and above by the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008 in Law and Sociology. The programme is sustained through research informed teaching and staff who are who have experience of acting as consultants to international organizations, governments and non-governmental organizations. The work of the Centre on Human Rights in Conflict and the Centre on Migration, Refugees and Belonging has been supported by research grants from the European Union, the British Academy and the Leverhulme Trust are recognizes as centres of excellence on conflict resolution, peace-building and human rights. Students and graduates on the current LLM programmes have been successful in gaining internships a wide variety of international and regional organizations including the International Criminal Court, the International criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the Extraordinary Chambers of Cambodia, the United Nations Commissions for Refugees and the International Bar Association. Outcomes Programme aims and learning outcomes What is this programme designed to achieve? This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to: To provide a sound knowledge of international law and international relations To provide graduates with the ability to construct international legal arguments To provide graduate with the ability to research and write about key areas in international relations To provide graduates with the ability to intervene in public debates in the areas of international law and international relations What will you learn? Knowledge The methodology of international law

4 Key approaches to international relations A knowledge of international legal and political institutions Thinking skills Ability to construct arguments Ability to evaluate complex fact situations Ability to analyze texts Subject-Based Practical skills Ability to critically read international legal sources (cases, treaties, UNSC resolutions) Ability to critical read theoretical works in international relations Ability to research and write in the areas of international law and international relations Skills for life and work (general skills) Ability to contribute to public debates and civil society on critical areas of international law and international relations. The ability to make informed judgments about the role of law in international affairs Structure The programme structure Introduction All programmes are credit-rated to help you to understand the amount and level of study that is needed. One credit is equal to 10 hours of directed study time (this includes everything you do e.g. lecture, seminar and private study). Credits are assigned to one of 5 levels: 0 equivalent in standard to GCE 'A' level and is intended to prepare students for year one of an undergraduate degree programme 1 equivalent in standard to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme 2 equivalent in standard to the second year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme 3 equivalent in standard to the third year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme M equivalent in standard to a Masters degree Credit rating The overall credit-rating of this programme is 180 credits at M Level

5 Typical duration The programme is one year full-time and two years part-time; entry to the programme can be in September or February each year. How the teaching year is divided The year is divided into two semesters of 15 weeks, during October through January and February through May; June through September is the dissertation phase. What you will study when Candidates will take two core taught modules and two optional taught modules during the two teaching semesters. Full-time students will take two taught modules each semester and part-time students will take one taught module each semester. Candidates will work on and write their dissertation during the dissertation phase June-September each year. List all modules indicating their status. Some of the boxes below have been completed to illustrate how to complete this section but please overwrite these with your own data. Level UEL Module Module Title Credit Status Code M LA7001 Current Issues and Research in International Law 30 Core M AI7404 Critical International relations 30 Core Option 1 M AI7405 Global Environmental Politics 30 optional M AI7406 Cultural Encounters with International Relations 30 optional M AI7403 Introduction to Forced Migration 30 optional M AIM408 Migration, Citizenship and Social Policy 30 optional M LA7003 Law and Policy in the Middle East 30 optional M LA7002 International Human Rights 30 optional M LA7008 Law of the World Trade Organization 30 optional M LA7013 War and Human Rights 30 optional M LAM419 Critical Perspectives on Terrorism 30 optional Option 2 M LA7010 International Criminal law 30 optional M LAM433 Democracy and the Rule of Law 30 optional M LAM404 Globalization 30 optional M LA7005 Islam and Human Rights 30 optional M LA7004 International Refugee Law 30 optional M CR7002 Critical Perspectives on Counter-Terrorism 30 optional M LA7015 Business and Human Rights 30 optional M LA7012 Contemporary Islamic Legal Issues 30 optional M LAM425 International Law and the Use of Force 30 optional M Dissertation 60 Core

6 Requirements for gaining an award In order to obtain an LLM, you will need to obtain 180 credits at Level M. These credits will include a 60 credit level M core module of advanced independent research. Masters Award Classification Where a student is eligible for an Masters award then the award classification is determined by calculating the arithmetic mean of all marks and applying the mark obtained as a percentage, with all decimals points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the following classification 70% - 100% Distinction 60% - 69% Merit 50% - 59% Pass 0% - 49% Not Passed Assessment Teaching, learning and assessment Teaching and learning List here the key teaching and learning methods used. In order to demonstrate that you have covered the learning outcomes it may be useful to sub-divide this as follows Knowledge is developed through Lectures Workshops Seminars Supervisions Thinking skills are developed through Critical reading Developing research skills Contributions in classes Practical skills are developed through Ability to develop sophisticated arguments in international law and international relations Ability to communicate ideas about international law and international relations Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through

7 Participation in the activities of the Centre on Human Rights in Conflict and the Centre on Migration, Refugees and Belonging Interaction with faculty members and external specialist speakers An alternative approach would be to list the teaching and learning methods and use bullet points to indicate which of these were relevant to the range of learning outcomes listed above Assessment List here the assessment methods that you use. Once again, in order to demonstrate that all learning outcomes are assessed, it might be helpful if you use one of the approaches suggested above. Examples of forms of assessment include coursework, presentations, case studies.. Knowledge is assessed by essays case studies oral presentations dissertations Thinking skills are assessed by essays case studies oral presentations dissertation Practical skills are assessed by essays case studies oral presentations dissertations Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by dissertation Quality How we assure the quality of this programme Before this programme started Before this programme started, the following was checked: there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme; adequate resources would be in place;

8 the overall aims and objectives were appropriate; The Programme and modules are informed by published research; the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements; the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements; the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms. This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions. How we monitor the quality of this programme The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating: external examiner reports (considering quality and standards); statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate); student feedback. Drawing on this and other information, programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation. The process is monitored by the Quality and Standards Committee. Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed. The role of the programme committee This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in the quality assurance procedures. The role of external examiners The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners have two primary responsibilities: To ensure the standard of the programme; To ensure that justice is done to individual students. External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including: Approving exam papers/assignments; Attending assessment boards;

9 Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks; Ensuring that regulations are followed; Providing feedback through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future. Listening to the views of students The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme: List the methods that you use e.g. Module evaluations Student representation on programme committees (once a semester)) Students are notified of the action taken through: List the methods that you use e.g. Through UEL Plus circulating the minutes of the programme committee providing details on the programme noticeboard Listening to the views of others The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties: List the methods that you use e.g Questionnaires to former students Annual student satisfaction questionnaire Placements Officer Further Information Where you can find further information s.a.senner@uel.ac.uk Further information about this programme is available from: The UEL web site ( The student handbook Module study guides UEL Manual of General Regulations UEL Quality Manual Regulations for theacademic Framework School web pages: