Master of Law and International Development - 2019

This expert graduate course provides a thorough theoretical and practical grounding in the laws and regulatory frameworks governing the ways in which the international community provides assistance to developing countries to improve the economic, political and social quality of life for their people. It also develops the advanced skills and specialist knowledge required for working as a professional in this field. It is suitable for graduates interested developing or enhancing specialist careers in international development within government, non-government or not-for-profit sectors.

You will investigate contemporary issues in law, practice and scholarship, and evaluate complex issues relevant to the field from theoretical, international and interdisciplinary perspectives. The course enhances your capacity to undertake independent research, and includes options for a pathway to doctoral studies.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:

1. demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and recent developments in areas of law and international development and the practice of law and international development
2. apply theories, knowledge and skills to different areas of law and international development law or to new situations in practice or scholarship in international development law
3. design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to global professional practice or scholarship
4. explain and justify arguments, methods, and conclusions to legal and lay audiences
5. apply with integrity appropriate research principles and methods to plan, carry out and report on an original project
6. demonstrate high level personal autonomy and judgment.

You may be eligible for credit for up to 25 per cent of the course (12 points) for previous master's level studies in law. If you have completed an independent research project in a bachelor of law honours degree you may be exempted from the master's research unit but must still complete 48 points of level 5 units.

The course is structured in two parts: Part A. Law and international development knowledge and Part B. Extending specialist knowledge electives and research.

Part A. Law and international development knowledge

The studies enable you to develop specialised knowledge and advanced skills in areas of law that suit your interests, skills and career goals.

Part B. Extending specialist knowledge electives and research

These studies will provide you with in-depth knowledge of a wide range of areas of international development law. You will be able to focus on sources of information relevant to international development law and the application of research methods and specialist discipline knowledge and skills necessary to support law-related work in those closely interrelated fields. Depending on your interests and motivation, you can choose a program of study in which you plan and execute a major research-based project with a high level of personal autonomy and accountability.

The course comprises 48 points structured into two parts: Part A. Law and international development knowledge (30 points) and Part B. Extending specialist knowledge electives and research (18 points).

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2019handbooks/maps/map-l6012.pdf) provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Units are 6 credit points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Law and international development knowledge (30 points)

You must complete a. and b. below:

a. the following unit:

• LAW5000 Australian legal reasoning and methods or LAW5081 Australian legal process and research*

* LAW5081 is required for all international students and those students with a law degree from a non-Australian jurisdiction.

b. a minimum of four units chosen from the units listed below; not all units are offered every year:

Regulation

• LAW5361 Foundations of regulation: Policy, principles and practice

International/business and economics law

• LAW5305Not offered in 2019 International trade law
• LAW5366Not offered in 2019 International banking and finance: Law and practice
• LAW5375 Arbitration of international commercial disputes
• LAW5384 International investment law
• LAW5392 Globalisation and international economic law
• LAW5398Not offered in 2019 International labour law

Human rights and justice

• LAW5304 Overview of international human rights law
• LAW5338 International humanitarian law
• LAW5359Not offered in 2019 International human rights law and women
• LAW5380Not offered in 2019 International human rights law and development
• LAW5383Not offered in 2019 International refugee law and human rights

Part B. Extending specialist knowledge electives and research (18 points)

You must complete 18 points across a. and b. below:

a. 6 or 12 points of elective law units. These can be taken from:

• Part A above
• the law and international development or arts postgraduate electives listed below
• any unit from the general list of level 5 law units, except those only offered in L6005 Master of Laws (Juris Doctor)

b. The remaining 6 or 12 points of research studies in law and international development from the following:

• LAW5082 Masters research (6 points)
• LAW5083 Extended research (12 points)**

** If you are taking this course as a pathway to doctoral studies you are advised to complete this unit.

Law and international development electives

• LAW5314 International environmental law
• LAW5345Not offered in 2019 Human rights, business and the global economy
• LAW5354Not offered in 2019 International criminal justice
• LAW5364Not offered in 2019 Economic, social and cultural rights and international law

Arts postgraduate electives

• APG5065 Governing migration: Refugees, borders and development (12 points)
• APG5092 Human rights in global politics (12 points)
• APG5097 Politics of international justice (6 points)
• APG5337 Governance and democratisation (12 points)

Not all units are offered every year.

You may exit this course early and apply to graduate with the following award, provided you have satisfied the requirements indicated for that award during your enrolment in this master's course:

• Graduate Certificate in Law after successful completion of 24 points of study with a minimum of 18 credit points at level 4 or above.

Successful completion of this course may provide a pathway to a higher degree by research.

If you are taking this course as a pathway to doctoral studies you are advised to take the extended research or minor thesis option.