EU9299: International Law in a Changing World

School null
Department Code null
Module Code EU9299
External Subject Code L250
Number of Credits 20
Level L5
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Professor Edwin Egede
Semester Spring Semester
Academic Year 2013/4

Outline Description of Module

The primary aim of this module is to introduce students to international law and explore its development in an ever-changing world system. Sincethe 20th century, international law which was initially conceived as the law of nations has today expanded to also encompass rights and duties of international and transnational organizations, as well as individuals.Further, it has moved from a law regulating mainly western states to one regulating both western and non-western States. In addition, it has to deal with new challenges in the changing world. This module aims therefore to explore the impact of the changing world on certain traditional conceptions of international law

On completion of the module a student should be able to

Knowledge and understanding:
  • Be familiar with some special terminology commonly associated with international law.
  • Be able to describe the nature of international law and its interrelation with international relations.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of certain peculiar characteristics of international law which distinguishes it from domestic law of a  State.
  • Analyse and evaluate the development of international law in an ever changing world.
  • Identify and evaluate the economic, historical and cultural factors that have impacted the development of international law
  • Display critical awareness of the impact of international law on global issues and the limitations of international law

Intellectual Skills

  • Gather, organize and deploy evidence and information from a variety of sources
  • Develop a reasoned argument, synthesize relevant information and exercise critical judgement
  • Develop skills necessary to perform independent research
  • Manage her/his own learning in a self-critical manner
  • Develop peer-review skills

How the module will be delivered

The module is to be delivered through a combination of small and large group teaching.

Skills that will be practised and developed

  • Competently use the library and communication/information technologies to research on various issues on international law
  • Effectively structure and communicate ideas through written and oral presentations
  • Develop a reasoned argument and synthesize information
  • Develop skills necessary to construct a biographical entry matching, or at least  close to, the standard of those to be found in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography

How the module will be assessed

Essay (30%)
Examination (70%)

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Written Assessment 30 International Law In A Changing World N/A
Exam - Spring Semester 70 International Law In A Changing World 2

Syllabus content

The course is based around a series of lectures, seminars and workshops, and will include discussion around these themes: 

  • What is International Law?
  • Is International Law really a Western conception?
  • A Changing World – from Westphalia to the 21stCentury
  •  Developing World and International Law
  • Multiculturalism and International Law?
  • Law-making and Sources of International Law in a changing world
  • Subjects of International Law in a changing world
  • War and International Law in a changing world
  • Human Rights and International Law in a changing world
  • The Ocean and International Law in a changing world

Essential Reading and Resource List

  • Egede and Sutch, International Law and International Justice, forthcoming,  (Edinburgh University Press)
  • Armstrong, David(ed.), Routledge Handbook of International Law(Routledge, 2011);
  • Crawford, James and Koskenniemi, Martti (eds.), The Cambridge Companion to International Law, (Cambridge UniversityPress, 2012);
  • Bull, Hedley, The Anarchical Society: A Study of Order in World Politics, 2nd edition,(Macmillan, 1995);
  • Krasner, S. (1995) “Compromising Westphalia”, International Security 20: 115–51;
  • Dixon, Martin, Textbook on International Law, (Oxford University Press, 2007);
  • Henkin, Louis, How Nations behave: Law and Foreign Policy, (Columbia University Press, 1979);
  • Anthony Anghie, Imperialism, Sovereignty and the Making of International Law (Cambridge University Press, 2005);
  • Anand, R.P., “Attitudes of the Asian-African States Toward Certain Problems of International Law,” (1966) 15 International and Comparative Law Quarterly, pp.55-75;
  • Chimni, B.S., “A Just World Under Law: A View from the South”, (2006-2007) 22 American University International Law Review, pp.199-220;
  • Egede, E., Africa and the Deep Seabed Regime: Politics and International Law of the Common Heritage of Mankind, (Springer, 2011)
  • Egede, E, “Law of the Sea” in Robert Denemark (ed.), International Studies Encyclopaedia(Wiley-Blackwell, 2010), pp.4839-4855
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