Monash University Handbook 2011 Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

This unit is designed to critically examine the phenomenon of globalization, and the related changes currently underway in contemporary international economic law. A particular focus of the unit is on the role of international economic law institutions, such as the WTO, IMF and World Bank, as they grapple with the many new issues which globalization has thrust onto their agendas. How is globalization changing the nature of international law, international society and global governance?

In this unit, students will undertake a multidisciplinary examination of the phenomenon of globalization and the associated transformation underway in contemporary international economic law. Students will employ tools and perspectives from a variety of the disciplines which have been used to examine globalization, such as economics, political theory, moral philosophy and sociology.

Students will use these tools to consider issues such as the changing nature of international and global society (and what, if any, is the difference between the two); pressure on traditional concepts of boundaries, citizenship and nationality; the problem of inequality in the global distribution of resources; challenges to sovereignty and emerging forms of global governance; and how existing and new international institutions can better manage this emerging global social policy agenda.

Objectives

1. An introduction to the phenomenon of globalization and the associated transformation underway in contemporary international economic law.
2. An introduction to several of the principal theoretical perspectives (i.e., moral philosophy, political theory, sociology, etc.) currently being applied in the study of these developments.
3. The application of these theoretical perspectives to selected issues in globalization studies and the operation of international economic law institutions.

Assessment

Class participation: 10%
Short essay (1,500 words): 20%
Research assignment: (5,250 words): 70%

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Frank Garcia

Contact hours

24 contact hours per semester (either intensive, semi-intensive or semester long, depending on the Faculty resources, timetabling and requirements)