LAW5392 - Globalisation and international economic law - 2018

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.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

• Apply knowledge and understanding of the phenomenon of globalization and the associated transformation underway in contemporary international economic law; principal theoretical perspectives; and the application of these perspectives to selected issues in globalization studies and the operation of international economic law institutions with creativity and initiative to new situations in professional practice and/or for further learning
• Investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories in relation to globalization and international economic law.
• Conduct research in the empirical and legal bases of issues in globalization studies and the operation of international economic law institutions based on knowledge of appropriate research principle and methods
• Use cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate at an abstract level complex ideas and concepts relevant to globalization and international economic law.

Class participation: 10%

Short essay (1,500 words): 20%

Research assignment: (5,250 words): 70%

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