LAW4343 - Sovereignty and globalisation - 2017

This unit will examine the relationship between sovereignty and globalisation from the 'discovery' of the Americas, through colonisation and de-colonisation, to present concerns with financial and technological integration and the 'war on terror'. It will ask what it means to be 'sovereign' in a globalised world and this question shapes and is shaped by the allocation of political and economic power in the world. The unit will place contemporary debates about sovereignty and globalisation in context by considering the development of sovereignty doctrine at key moments in history. It will also investigate the complex relationship between public and private authority.

Upon completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Identify, evaluate and synthesise relevant legal, theoretical and historical issues and concepts in relation to the relationship between sovereignty and globalisation;
2. Demonstrate cognitive and creative skills in analysing complex issues about sovereignty and globalisation;
3. Critically evaluate various dominant and popular conceptions of the proper scope of sovereign authority in light of global challenges;
4. Communicate and advocate effectively and persuasively, both orally and in writing, on issues relating to sovereignty and globalisation;
5. Reflect on and assess their own performance, including by taking into account feedback on earlier work, to improve their capabilities and understanding.

1. Class participation: 10%
2. Draft essay plan and preliminary bibliography (1000 words): 20%
3. Research essay (3500 words): 70%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcome for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Dr Richard Joyce

For students who commenced their LLB course prior to 2015:

• LAW1101 Introduction to legal reasoning
• LAW1104 Research and writing

For students enrolled in the LLB (Honours) course from 2015:

• LAW1111 Foundations of law
• LAW1112 Public law and statutory interpretation
• LAW1113 Torts
• LAW1114 Criminal law 1
• LAW2101 Contract A
• LAW2102 Contract B
• LAW2111 Constitutional law
• LAW2112 Property A

For other students:

Equivalent introductory units from another university

For LLB (Honours) students only:

• LAW3111 Equity
• LAW3112 Corporations law