Programme Specification for International Law LLM
|
Final award |
LLM |
|
Intermediate awards available |
PG Dip, PG Cert |
|
UCAS code |
N/A |
|
Details of professional body accreditation |
None |
|
Relevant QAA Benchmark statements |
Law |
|
Date specification last up-dated |
February 2008 |
Profile
The summary - programme advertising leaflet
Programme content
The aim of the LLM ( International Law ) programme is to provide a critical appreciation of a broad range of issues relating to the theory and practice of international, transnational and comparative legal systems. It aims to promote open discussion and debate, critical analysis, research and development of changing boundaries of international law at the time of globalization. It aims to engender excellent research and writing skills based on stronger foundations in the study of international law. The objective of the program is to promote better understanding of the dynamics of the International Legal Studies through law related frameworks in areas such as international legal theory, institutions, international conflicts, self determination, war crimes, human rights, development, refugees, minority rights and Islam.
The Aims and Objectives of the LLM International Law Programme are to:
- Develop a critical awareness of the way in which international relations and politics interact with the international legal system.
- Critically engage with the major theoretical debates on the role of law in the international legal order.
- Demonstrate a familiarity with at least some of the international legal regimes.
- Evaluate the international legality of contemporary political events and the ability of law to influence State behaviour.
- Develop the ability to analyse, articulate and write on the subject, by linking previous or current experience with an academic inquiry, particularly via the dissertation.
The LLM ( International Legal Studies ) offers a range of modules. In addition to the core module, Current Issues and Research in International Law, a range of options including International Environmental Law, Globalisation, Islamic Legal Cultures, Islamic Legal Theories, Islam and Human Rights, Feminist Legal Theories, International Human Rights, Law and Development, Law of the World Trade Organisation, International Criminal Law, the Regulation of transnational corporations and Law of Armed conflict are offered.
International Law at UEL
The LLM ( International Law ) at UEL is a distinctive programme for the following reasons
- The LLM teaching team is composed of experts in the area whose work has rated as internationally recognized in the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008.
- LLM programs adjudged the highest grade "commendable" by the Quality Assurance Agency in 2003.
- The program, is taught by a group of researchers who have made a distinctive contribution to international law through publication and consultancy
- The LLM in International Law offers innovative programmes such Current Issues and Research in International Law and others not available elsewhere.
- The LLM in International Law is attractive because of the programme structure making it entirely research based while offering students the flexibility of choosing research areas within the modules and for their dissertation.
- The LLM in International Law will be taught, as with the existing programme, through interactive lectures and seminars and day schools.
- The LLM in International Law is supported by a strong library collection and the critical studies academic culture at the School of Law and UEL.
Admission requirements
Qualifications for entry is a good honours degree in law, international relations, political science, economics, sociology or cultural studies. Degrees in other subjects will be considered.
Programme structure
In addition to the core module, Current Issues and Research in International Law, candidates take at least two modules from the following:
International Law and the Use of Force, International Criminal Law, International Human Rights, International Refugee Law, Law and Policy in the Middle East, Critical Perspectives on Terrorism, International Environmental Law, Law of the World Trade Organization, Law of International Finance. Candidates may chose their fourth option from any one of the above or from any other LLM module. The Dissertation must be deemed by the Dissertation committee to be substantially related to the area of International Law.
Learning environment
Module Lectures/Seminars, workshops and human rights seminars, day school, and visits by external experts.
Assessment
All modules are research based involving coursework. Students take four modules of 30 credits each for which they submit their coursework of approximately 7,000 words at the end of the semester. The LLM dissertation accounting for 60 credits involves a 15,000 word essay. The full time students normally complete the 180 credits requirements in one academic year while part time students complete the same in two years.
Relevance to work/profession
The program will enhance research skills, legal skills and awareness of international and comparative law to the professions, public service and the media
Thesis/Dissertation/project work
Day School and dissertation seminars provide the opportunity for students to develop their own ideas, research specific topics. However, the nature of postgraduate dissertation does not provide scope for formal collaborative research projects.
Your future career
Students graduating with a specialisation in LLM (International Law) can look to the expanding market and professional choices available in this field. The scarcity of specialists in this area was particularly noticed after the September 11 2001 events and the prominence in international legal discourse. Possible career paths include policy making within the public sector and government, community relations, human rights work in development agencies/organisations, grassroots advocacy and academia.
How we support you
Every student is allocated a personal tutor who provides support and advice, research methods training is available, special sessions on access to relevant learning materials are organised. Lecturers teaching on the LLM in International Law are available for module specific discussions as well as general issues related to the subject area.
Bonus factors
The LLM in International Law programme includes day Schools, special seminar series led by experts in the field and the possibility of an international study trip.
Outcomes
Programme aims and learning outcomes
What is this programme designed to achieve?
This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to:
- Develop a critical awareness of the way in which international relations and politics interact with the international legal system.
- Critically engage with the major theoretical debates on the role of law in the international legal order.
- Demonstrate a familiarity with at least some of the international legal regimes.
- Evaluate the international legality of contemporary political events and the ability of law to influence State behaviour.
- Develop the ability to analyse, articulate and write on the subject, by linking previous or current experience with an academic inquiry, particularly via the dissertation.
What will you learn?
General skills
- Develop a critical thinking about the international dimensions and implications of law across varied contexts.
- Apply critical and comparative approaches across a wide variety of issues relating to the theorisation and application of international law.
- To engage with and evaluate solutions to the challenges of a globalised legal environment.
Knowledge
- Ability to command key areas of international legal discourse
- Ability to command key areas of international legal doctrine
- Ability to understand the working of key international and domestic, political structures in a changing world.
- Develop expertise by linking previous or current experience with academic enquiry, particularly via the dissertation.
Thinking skills
- Ability to engage with principal theoretical currents in international law.
- Ability to engage in post-structural, post-modern and post colonial theories
- Awareness of the contribution of non-legal legal disciplines to legal study.
Subject-Based Practical skills
- Ability to use a law library
- Ability to undertake a research project
- Ability to use on-line data bases
Skills for life and work (general skills)
- Ability to communicate complex ideas
- Ability to research and to work independently
- Ability to read texts de-constructively
- Acquire skills relating to essay/report writing in these areas.
Structure
The programme structure
Introduction
All programmes are credit-rated to help you to understand the amount and level of study that is needed.
One credit is equal to 10 hours of directed study time (this includes everything you do e.g. lecture, seminar and private study).
Credits are assigned to one of 5 levels:
- 0 - equivalent in standard to GCE 'A' level and is intended to prepare students for year one of an undergraduate degree programme
- 1 - equivalent in standard to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 2 - equivalent in standard to the second year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 3 - equivalent in standard to the third year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- M - equivalent in standard to a Masters degree
Credit rating
The overall credit-rating of this programme is 180 for LLM (International Law)
Typical duration
The typical duration of this programme is one year full-time or two years part-time. It is possible to move from full-time to part-time study and vice-versa to accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments. Many of our students make use of this flexibility and this may impact on the overall duration of their study period.
How the teaching year is divided
The teaching year is divided into two semesters of roughly equal length. A typical full-time student will study two 30 credit modules per semester and a typical part-time student will study one module per semester. Dissertation of 60 credits is undertaken on completion of the four modules- during the summer for the full time student and in the second year for the part time student.
What you will study when
LLM Legal Studiesis awarded to students who have accumulated 180 credits (with four modules and a dissertation). Full time students do so in one academic year while part time studies spread it over two years.
Full Time Students
| - | SEMESTER A | SEMESTER B | SUMMER |
|---|---|---|---|
|
YEAR ONE |
CORE MODULE |
OPTION ONE |
DISSERTATION 60 credits |
|
- |
OPTION TWO |
OPTION THREE |
- |
Part Time Students
| - | SEMESTER A | SEMESTER B | SUMMER |
|---|---|---|---|
|
YEAR ONE |
CORE MODULE |
OPTION ONE |
PT students begin |
|
YEAR TWO |
OPTION TWO |
OPTION THREE |
DISSERTATION |
Note: PG diploma in Legal Studies is awarded to students who have completed 120 credits, having completed the modules but not the dissertation.
| Year | Module title | credit | status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Current Issues and Research in International Law |
30 |
Core |
|
1 |
Option One |
30 |
Option |
|
1 (FT)2 (PT) |
Option Two |
30 |
Option |
|
1(FT) 2(PT) |
Option Three |
30 |
Option |
|
1(FT) 2(PT) |
Dissertation |
60 |
Core |
Requirements for gaining an award
In order to gain a Postgraduate Certificate, you will need to obtain 60 credits at Level M.
In order to gain a Postgraduate Diploma, you will need to obtain 120 credits at Level M
In order to obtain a Masters, you will need to obtain 180 credits at Level M. These credits will include a 60 credit level M core module of advanced independent research.
Masters Award Classification
Where a student is eligible for an Masters award then the award classification is determined by calculating the arithmetic mean of all marks and applying the mark obtained as a percentage, with all decimals points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the following classification
|
70% - 100% |
Distinction |
|
60% - 69% |
Merit |
|
50% - 59% |
Pass |
|
0% - 49% |
Not Passed |
Assessment
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching and learning
The individual modules are delivered through lectures and seminar series involving both staff and student presentations.
- Students prepare for classroom participation through reading and analysis of distributed material, readings from the indicative reading and their own research. This process develops the knowledge base of students, their thinking and analytical skills, the practical application of theories and doctrine and significantly contributes to the development of general skills in preparation for life and work.
Apart from class contributions, Students are expected to develop their ideas through research and preparation leading to a research based essay whose title is negotiated.
- Negotiated essay titles and supervision involves one to one interaction with the tutor where the student's choice of research subject and proposed essay structure are discussed. This process develops the knowledge base of students as there is discussion of content, their critical thinking and analytical skills as students are expected to contribute original ideas, the practical application of theories and doctrines and in acquiring research methods and essay writing.
The LLM programme, in general, offers several avenues for development of knowledge, critical thinking, practical application and general skills for life and work. These include Day schools, guest seminar series and voluntary placement schemes.
In addition to the four modules, Students also undertake a long essay, the LLM thesis, which further develops the skills listed above and elaborated in the assessment criteria, below.
Assessment
As the LLM programme is designed as a researched based degree, the formal assessment method for most of the modules is the evaluation of an essay, approximately 7,000 words, submitted at the end of the semester. However, the titles and structure are negotiated by the student with the tutor which contributes to the research exercise.
- The research essays develop knowledge in the chosen area while at the same time demonstrating the links with other doctrines and related subjects and the overall context.
- As the essays are expected to be based on original research by students, the assessment criteria emphasises analysis and critical appreciation (as opposed to mere narratives).
- The content of the modules and the choice of the essay titles are geared to the development of practical skills based either on practical application or appreciation of theories/doctrines or evaluation of contemporary trends and developments.
- The essay writing process is a vital skill that is central to general ability to think, articulate and build ideas and projects- essential for life and work.
Quality
How we assure the quality of this programme
Before this programme started
Before the programme started, the following was checked:
- there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
- adequate resources would be in place;
- the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
- the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
- the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
- the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.
This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.
How we monitor the quality of this programme
The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:
- external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
- statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
- student feedback.
Drawing on this and other information programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation. The process is monitored by the University's Quality Standing Committee.
Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.
The role of the programme committee
This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in the University's quality assurance procedures.
The role of external examiners
The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners have two primary responsibilities:
- To ensure the standard of the programme
- To ensure that justice is done to individual students
External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:
- Approving exam papers/assignments
- Attending assessment boards
- Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks
- Ensuring that regulations are followed
- Providing feedback through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future
Listening to the views of students
The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:
- Module evaluations
- Student representation on programme committees (meeting 2 times year)
- Student membership on the Law School Board
Students are notified of the action taken through:
- circulating the minutes of the programme committee
- a newsletter (introduced next semester) published twice a year
- providing details on the programme noticeboard
Listening to the views of others
The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:
- UEL teaching Staff on the LLM, associated with other universities teaching human rights or organisations working on human rights issues, have held informal discussions with experts. Human Rights seminars and day schools have been used as feedback.
Further Information
Where you can find further information
Further information about this programme is available from:
- The UEL web site
- The student handbook
- UEL Manual of Regulations and Policies http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
- Regulations for the Academic Framework http://www.uel.ac.uk/academicframework/
- UEL Quality Manual http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
- Departmental web pages http://www.uel.ac.uk/law
Alternative locations for studying this programme
All modules are taught at the Stratford campus of University of East London .
- Current External examiners
- External examiner reports (available from UEL virtual learning environment (UELPlus or Moodle))
