LAW40140 International Economic Law

Academic Year 2022/2023

This module will provide students with an introduction to the nature and scope of International Economic Law. In particular, the module will examine the nature of the law established through the creation of World Trade Organization, with particular emphasis on the process of dispute settlement in international trade. After this discussion of dispute settlement, the lectures series will examine the general principles of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (Articles I and III) and the exceptions (Articles XX, XXI, XXIV and Special and Differential Treatment). Thereafter, there will be a series of student-led seminars on a range of topics.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module, students should have an enhanced appreciation and understanding of the process of dispute settlement in international trade, specific agreements and the treatment of specific issues within the World Trade Organization.
On completion of this module, students should also have enhanced the generally transferable skills and specific skills developed throughout their degree programmes, including the ability to conduct legal research (especially using international legal materials) and the ability to present a coherent legal argument. Students will be expected to demonstrate these learning outcomes through the presentation of a seminar which will be subsequently written up and the completion of a piece of research.

Indicative Module Content:

After the introductory lecture on the history of the World Trade Organization and lectures on the WTO Dispute Settlement Understanding, the first part of the module will involve lectures on:
- Articles I and III GATT;
- Articles XX and XXI GATT;
- Article XXIV GATT;
- Special and Differential Treatment
Thereafter, the remainder of the module is given over to student-led seminars.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

6
Seminar (or Webinar)

18
Autonomous Student Learning

240
Total

264
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
After an initial set of lectures, the module will have a series of student-led seminars in which two (or more) students will be expected to present - on either a specific dispute or a specific question. Students presenting will be provided with an outline of the particular topic and will be expected to conduct sufficient research to allow them to present the seminar. Students not presenting will be provided with a list of questions to be addressed in their reading for the seminars in which they are expected to actively participate.

 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Seminar: Seminar Presentation and Paper Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

30
Essay: 3500 word essay Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

70

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

There will be a meeting with the students prior to their seminar indicating the broad questions to be covered and a post-seminar feedback session indicating the issues to be addressed in the written-up seminar paper. Students have the opportunity to discuss the end of semester essay using staff-consultation hours and/or through e-mail.