International Law And Politics - Llm

at Keele University

Compulsory core modules

LAW-40040 Foundations of International Law (15 credits, Semester 1)

This introduction to public international law provides you with an opportunity to look beyond the domestic sphere and examine how law helps to govern relations between sovereign governments. The module provides a general overview of the nature of international law as a legal system, its subjects, sources and general principles, as well as an introduction to more specific themes such as the law governing the use of force, sovereign immunities or the settlement of international disputes.
 

LAW-40038 International Law and Human Rights (15 credits, Semester 1)

This module offers a perspective of both the normative standards defining international human rights and the means by which they are monitored and implemented. You will acquire a strong theoretical and practical understanding of the design and development of modern international human rights law. Special attention will be given to the work of UN human rights bodies and of regional organisations. We will also examine the so-called ‘dark sides of virtue’, i.e., the unforeseen consequences, biases and ambiguities of the human rights project, and the ways in which well-intentioned human rights interventions can at times create as many problems as they solve.
 

LAW-40042 Introduction to International Economic Law (15 credits, Semester 2)

Providing a general introduction to international economic law, this module considers the role played by international economic institutions like the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank or, at a regional level, the European Union (EU), North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). It covers substantive areas of international economic law, with particular emphasis on the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), WTO law, international investment law and state-investor arbitration. You will be encouraged to think critically about the structures of international economic law, and their relationship with the environment, human rights, development and social justice.
 

LAW-40042 Advanced International Law (15 credits, Semester 2)

Building on the earlier module, you will have the opportunity to acquire a more-in-depth understanding of the nature, function and development of international law. As well as a thorough analysis of core areas of international law such as statehood, the law of treaties or state responsibility, the module explores recent events and developments in the field of international law, so content varies from year to year. The module will be divided in two parts. Part One will consist of a thorough analysis of core areas of international law, including the law of treaties, state responsibility, the making/unmaking of states and the settlement of international disputes. Part Two will explore recent events, developments or debates in the field of international law, such as international criminal justice, humanitarian intervention and the responsibility to protect, the global financial crisis, or climate justice.
 

LAW-40039 Dissertation (60 credits, studied throughout the course)

The production of a 15,000 to 20,000-word dissertation provides an exciting opportunity to work under the supervision of an expert in your chosen field of interest, demonstrating a level of knowledge and understanding far beyond what you have learned in class. You’ll be supported to develop the research skills needed to conduct an extended piece of work on a topic of your choice, analysing existing relevant research. Some students start the course with a clear idea about what they want to write about, but others find and develop particular interests as the course progresses. Examples of recent dissertation topics by students on this pathway include: the immunity of the UN from legal process; the rights of colonial people to reparation; nuclear disarmament and international law; and the politics of the international criminal court.

ACADEMIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

You should have a first or second class honours degree (or foreign equivalent) in Law or a related discipline. Applications are welcome from current legal practitioners or any other person with appropriate professional qualifications and/or experience.
 

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ENTRY REQUIREMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Applicants for whom English is not a first language must provide evidence of a qualification in English language. The minimum score for entry to the LLM is academic IELTS 6.5 (or TOFEL 91). Students who have taken one of the English language qualifications but did not achieve the required grade may be admitted to the programme provided that they study on a pre-sessional English Language course before they start their degree studies.
 

Keele University currently accepts Tofel iBT tests that have been taken outside of the United Kingdom. All Tofel iBT tests will need to be taken no longer than two years prior to your start date at Keele and must be verifiable with ETS. If you have taken your Tofel iBT test in the UK please contact the admissions team for more information.

International - Full time £16,800 per year
 

POSITIONS MAY INCLUDE:

• Academic
• Barrister
• Consultant
• Lawyer
• Newspaper journalist
• Policy officer
• Scientist
• Social worker
• Solicitor
• Teacher