University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 9

Semester: 1

Planned timetable: TBC

This module revolves around several questions, is international law really 'law'?; do international law and norms matter?; and what are the interactions between international relations and international law in practice? The readings first examine the state-centered approach of traditional international relations scholarship and much of international legal scholarship, and then examine international relations scholarship regarding the influence of norms and the development of institutions, with an eye to the role of constructivist literature. The module will turn to particularly contentious issue-areas, such as the concept of legitimacy in the international system; the emerging right to democratic governance; humanitarian intervention; changing conceptions of sovereignty in light of human rights jurisprudence in regional courts; the role of the International Court of Justice and international tribunals; and the proliferating practice of international criminal law.

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact:

Scheduled learning hours: 46

Guided independent study hours: 254

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews:

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 50%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 50%

Personnel