📖Program Curriculum
The LLM can be studied as either a one-year full-time or two-year part-time course with a September start date. It is also possible to study more flexibly part-time on a modular basis accumulating degree credits by taking individual modules over a period of maximum of five years. The information below outlines a one-year full-time study schedule.
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 15000 to 20000-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 which reflect the breadth of the subject include: the regulation of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies recognition of statehood the use of force and Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL).
Elective core and optional modules
To complete the LLM you will study additional modules to the value of 60 credits. You can choose from the general core international law and pathway-specific modules (indicated in brackets) or from optional modules available within other subject disciplines including Chinese Chinese (Mandarin) French German Spanish Japanese and Russian.
LAW-40045 International Humanitarian Law (15 credits Semester 2)
International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is one of the oldest fields of international law. It seeks to regulate the conduct of hostilities primarily through control of the means and methods of warfare and to protect certain categories of individuals who are not or are no longer actively engaged in hostilities (civilians persons hors de combat prisoners of war and so on). This module introduces you to the key concepts rules and institutions of IHL addressing contemporary issues such as the 'war on terror' asymmetrical conflict the relationship of IHL with international human rights law or so-called 'lawfare'. Additionally you will examine the means by which IHL is monitored implemented and enforced with particular emphasis on the development of international criminal law war crimes tribunals and the International Criminal Court.
LAW-30094 Transnational Crime (15 credits Semester 1)
Transnational crime has become an important policy issue in the contemporary world. Every country is affected one way or another and criminal groups accumulate massive profits by providing illicit goods and services such as drugs and human beings. There are other crimes including terrorism and cyber crime which have become more serious and dangerous in modern time. This module explores some of the most serious transnational crimes in the contemporary world such as illicit cycle of narcotics (production trafficking and consumption) human/organ trafficking cyber crimes and terrorism. It then considers various ways to combat these crimes which go beyond simple criminal justice responses paying particular attention to the supply and demand dynamics and broader social cultural and human rights dimensions.
LAW-40058 International Refugee Law (15 credits Semester 2)
You’ll develop an advanced understanding of international refugee law in its historical political and social context. The module considers the legal protections available to refugees and other displaced persons the complementary protection as well as the shortcomings of the protection mechanism. Taught at the intersection between law politics sociology and psychology it offers an insight into the plight of asylum seekers as they seek international protection.
LAW-40043 International Environmental Law (15 credits Semester 2) (Environment pathway)
This module offers a critical perspective on the development of international environmental law. It provides a grounding in the legal norms institutions and processes of the field and explores current environmental global issues such as biodiversity loss transboundary pollution toxic waste dumping trade and environment food security animal rights or climate change through specific treaty regimes. Drawing on a range of legal policy and other literature you’ll be introduced to key challenges facing the regulation of the environment on the international stage today.
PIR-40106 Dimensions of Environmental Politics (15 credits Semester 1) (Environment pathway)
You will be introduced to the main facets of environmental politics gaining a broad overview of key concepts debates processes and discourses in relation to the political dynamics of ‘The environment’. You will explore three key questions in environmental politics: How did ‘The environment’ come to be seen as a political question? How have political institutions responded to what have been called environmental problems? What are the challenges such problems individually or collectively pose for existing political structures institutions and practices and the theoretical presumptions underlying them? This module will provide you with a good general understanding across the field should you wish to specialise in greater depth for example in your dissertation.
GEG-40006 Economic Development and Environmental Transformation (15 credits Semester 1) (Environment pathway)
Are economic development and environmental concerns always opposed? What areas should be conservation priorities to sustain global ecosystems? What does international development assistance do for the people who depend most directly on their local environments for their livelihoods? On this module you’ll seek to find the answers to some of society’s most pressing environmental questions. Introducing you to the area of development geography you will use case studies of economy and ecology to evaluate different pathways towards – and definitions of – 'development.'
LAW-40060 Transnational Commercial Law (15 credits Semester 1) (Commerce and Business pathway)
Transnational commercial law is any rule that relates to cross-border economic activity or economic activity with cross-border effects. In other words it is the legal side of the globalisation of commerce. It seeks to resolve problems that arise when the nation state responsible for regulating commercial activities is no longer easily identifiable; and it gives legal certainty to international traders while maintaining the necessary regulatory framework in global context. This module will combine private and public approaches to commercial law and theory focusing on international disputes and the key challenges in resolving them.
MAN-40114 International Business Context (15 credits Semester 1) (Commerce and Business pathway)
The purpose of this module is to introduce theories around globalisation international trade and investment. It offers insight into a range of economic political technological processes that influence and are influenced by international business activities. You will develop a solid understanding of basic theories underlying the importance of international trade and investment enhancing your understanding of current events and their impacts.
MAN-40118Contemporary Challenges in Global Business (15 credits Semester 2) (Commerce and Business pathway)
Sustainability and sustainable development are in the foreground of contemporary challenges facing global business and society in the 2020s. Drawing on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) sustainability theories and concepts including ethics and alternative business models you will examine how global business can make a positive contribution to society and the challenges associated with a transition to more sustainable systems of consumption and production. You will gain understanding of the complex issues surrounding development towards social responsibility and environmental sustainability.
LAW-40048 Foundations of Human Rights (15 credits Semester 1) (Human Rights pathway)
Focusing on gender sexuality race class ethnicity religion and power in relation to human rights you will develop a practical and theoretical understanding of human rights law politics and philosophy at domestic regional and international levels. You will explore historical philosophical and structural aspects of human rights including Enlightenment perspectives theories of rights/history of rights theory universalism/relativism debates sovereignty and non-intervention concerns and other ‘structural’ issues pertinent to international law and relations. This broad foundation module provides a background in which to study and critique human rights theory and practice.
LAW-40047 Equality Discrimination and Minorities (15 credits Semester 1) (Human Rights pathway)
This module focuses on the main issues of equality and discrimination in international human rights policy and practice. Using the thematic of religion race ethnicity and caste/descent you will examine and critique particular inequalities in international human rights policy and practice such as geographical and governance inequalities. Exploring equality issues through particular case studies you will analyse UK and comparative perspectives of global and regional norms on race discrimination for example rights of caste groups minorities and indigenous peoples and standards on prevention and punishment of genocide. You will reflect on the ways in which aspects of a person’s social and political identities combine to create different modes of discrimination and privilege for example the intersectional ties of gender and indigenous peoples/minorities and gender and sexuality.
LAW-40046 Human Rights and Global Politics (15 credits Semester 2) (Human Rights pathway)
The overall focus of this module is on exploring evolving political and legal strategies to advance human rights in a global political framework. You will be introduced to the main debates on the ways that political structures shape human rights: the relationship between democratisation development human rights and violence; the possible emergence of a global civil society to understanding human rights practices; the expansion and role of transnational human rights monitoring and activism; and the need for an understanding of political violence and terror to assess and address causes of human rights violations. To deepen your understanding of the connections between global and local causes and responses to contemporary human rights issues you will examine a number of key issues such as the responsibility to protect (r2p) humanitarian interventions aid and development security in the post 9/11 era and more.
