Diplomacy and International Law

The rules, laws and customs that govern inter-state relationships come into sharp focus in this module. It provides you with a base from which you can further your study of specific areas of international law.

As we explore the essential elements of international law, and the way that they are used to shape the world in which we live, you will have the chance to gain an in-depth understanding of both theory and practice. You will be given ‘real’ examples of international law to critically assess, allowing you to identify its shortcomings and challenges.

We will cover fundamental principles and concepts of international law and some topical issues such as:

• the nature and sources of international law
• the relationship between international and national law
• statehood and self-determination
• jurisdiction
• immunities
• state responsibility
• dispute settlement
• use of force

Our Law School is home to research-active academics, you will have the chance to benefit from some of their expertise as many teach on areas closely aligned with their own research interests.

Diplomacy and Foreign Policy are central to the understanding of international politics. The structure of the international system induces a constant need for political dialogue and negotiations. Besides war, diplomacy is the common language states are using to interact on the world stage.

Complementing the first core module (Theory and Concepts in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy), this module aims to apply your theoretical understanding of diplomacy and foreign policy to contemporary diplomatic and negotiation issues and great power politics. Our teaching and learning strategy seeks to give you both a theoretical and practical understanding of contemporary issues in diplomacy and foreign policy. Where possible, academic teaching will be complemented by guest lectures (e.g. by a practitioner) and in-class activities such as mock negotiation exercises.

Topics covered vary each year but we often explore issues relating to the following areas: Nuclear weapons and foreign policy, Arms control and diplomacy, International climate negotiations, South-North relations and development, Diplomacy and terrorism, and Citizen protection.

The dissertation is an independent, in-depth inquiry into a research topic of your choosing. The topic will relate to a key legal question or issue and may also directly relate to your professional/career interests.

You will:

• Identify and define a discrete research topic in Law
• Complete and submit a Dissertation Proposal Form, signed by your chosen supervisor
• Carry out a literature review of the relevant field, incorporating a comprehensive range of relevant legal materials
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the selected legal issues through independent research
• Construct and sustain a cohesive argument within your writing
• Outline the implications of your findings and how they may inform further research, policy or practice

This is your opportunity to make a contribution to the legal and academic community with new and original research and writing on a legal issue.

LLM 100: The dissertation is a compulsory component with a 20,000-word limit. It represents 80 credits (45%) of your degree weighting.

LLM 200: The dissertation is a compulsory component with a 15,000-word limit. It represents 60 credits (34%) of your degree weighting.

Please note: topics can only be approved if the University has sufficient sources for the research and the necessary staff expertise for supervision.

Diplomacy and Foreign Policy are central to the understanding of international politics. The structure of the international system induces a constant need for political dialogue and negotiations. Besides war, diplomacy is the common language states are using to interact on the world stage.

This module introduces students to ways of conceptualizing diplomacy and foreign policy in the 21st century:

• Why do states rely on diplomacy?
• What are the current forms and features of diplomacy and foreign policy?
• Is diplomacy the only form of international dialogue besides war?
• How do states (and statesmen) negotiate?
• How has diplomacy evolved throughout history?
• Does ‘global governance’ exist?

This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to develop your knowledge of both theoretical and practical understanding of contemporary issues in diplomacy and foreign policy. Where appropriate, academic teaching may be complemented by lectures and in-class activities carried out by practitioners (diplomats, civil servants, etc).

The course aims to explore a variety of approaches to conflict management in contemporary conflicts, by third parties and parties in conflict, and critically assesses their effectiveness and potential. The course draws its theoretical foundations from peace and conflict research but is aimed at enabling students to learn to assess the scope for conflict management and peace-building in practice. The module includes both academic literature as well as policy relevant papers.

The focus of the course is on analysing peace processes and practical problems of conflict prevention, conflict management and peace-building in a range of contemporary international, internal, ethnic, community and environmental conflicts.

Students will be divided up into groups of two or three, and each group will take responsibility for identifying and investigating a specific approach to conflict management in a conflict of their choice. The choice of cases will vary with the interest of students. In recent year topics included Afghanistan, Chechnya, Georgia, Kashmir, Kosovo, Macedonia, Northern Ireland, Liberia/Sierra Leone, Timor Elste, conflict prevention and the emergent global climate change negotiations, and peace-building in contemporary Africa and Asia.

The course is taught in 10 2-hour lecture seminars, with the first half devoted to the lecture and the second half dedicated to substantial presentations by the student / group.

Select Bibliography:

Barash, David P. & Webel, Charles P. (2008) Peace and Conflict Studies, London: Sage.Darby J & Mac Ginty, R, Contemporary Peacemaking (Palgrave Macmillan, 2002)Eriksen, T. H., Ethnicity and Nationalism (Zed, 2010).Kaldor, M., New & Old Wars (Polity Press, 2006) Lyons, T. (2008) Conflict Management and African Conflicts – Ripeness, Bargaining and Mediation, London: Routledge, 2008)Misra, A. Afghanistan: The Labyrinth of Violence (Polity, 2004).Misra A., Politics of Civil Wars (Routledge 2008)Paris, R., At War’s End (Cambridge Univ. Press. 2005)Ramsbotham, O, Woodhouse T. & Miall, H, Contemporary Conflict Resolution – 3rd edition (Blackwell's, 2010)Rupesinghe, K, Civil Wars, Civil Peace (Pluto Press, 1998)Zartman, I.W., Peacemaking in International Conflict (USIP, 2005)European Centre for Conflict Prevention, People Building Peace (1999)Wallensteen, P., Understanding Conflict Resolution (Sage, 2006)

How have the principles of environmental law developed? How effective is the environmental law of England and Wales?

Law students and students from Lancaster Environment Centre study side by side on this module. This presents you with a rare interdisciplinary opportunity to share ideas and perspectives between lawyers and scientists. Together, we will explore the sources, principles and effectiveness of environmental law in England and Wales.

Within your studies you will investigate the efficacy and effect of environmental law. Topics analysed include: water pollution, the history of environmental law, green criminology and the protection of the countryside. The module then builds upon this critical analysis to explain how the aqueous, atmospheric and terraneous environments are protected by law.

Environmental law is typically taught by research-active academics who will introduce you to their research into green criminology, access to the countryside, market mechanisms and environmental protection. This research often informs their teaching and you can choose an essay based on these topics or develop your own question with the support of our lecturers.

This module provides you with the opportunity to undertake a concentrated and focussed study of a topic, theme or subject which is of interest to you and for which appropriate supervisory coverage and academic resourcing are available. Your learning is facilitated by tutorial support.

During this module you will be expected to:

• clearly define a research problem based on a topic or subject of your interest
• produce a reading list of relevant literature
• produce the outline/early draft of an essay on the basis of the research for comments by the supervisor

The supervisor supporting you can:

• advise on whether your planned area of research is appropriate
• give guidance regarding the nature and format of the essay
• give guidance on the planning of the essay
• give feedback on a draft of the essay provided by the student

The final assessment is a 5,000 word essay.

We live in a world where an increasing amount of business is conducted across international borders. International Business Law and Institutions (WTO) considers the role of law, institutions, law makers and regulators in the international business environment.

In this module we will look at the international legal and institutional framework that regulates transnational business and you will analyse the nature of legal and regulatory arrangements, such as:

• national laws affecting international investment (and their regulation)
• forms of international law affecting transnational business (bilateral and multilateral treaties, codes of conduct, decisions of international organisations)
• the basic principles of GATT
• the structure and role of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)
• the interplay between the WTO and other areas of global regulation (health and environmental protection)
• product standards
• international aspects of intellectual property rights
• regulatory aspects of the internationalisation of services (especially financial)

A combination of independent reading and seminars with our research-active lawyers and academics will provide you with the opportunity to gain a sound grasp of this legal area.

What are the merits of international criminal justice? And what are the main challenges that present themselves in this area of law?

This module provides you with an opportunity to consider these key questions as you benefit from an introduction to substantive international criminal law.

You will explore the central theme of international crimes, deepening your understanding of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Within your analysis, you will address the role of international courts and tribunals, mixed and hybrid courts and tribunals, as well as developments in national courts.

This is your chance to critically engage with stimulating examples of prosecution and punishment, which are central to the subject of international criminal law. Your studies will be informed by the convenor’s cutting-edge research on transitional criminal justice and retrospective justice.

A combination of independent reading and regular seminars will provide you with a sound grasp of this fascinating legal discipline.

Our world is facing an ever-increasing number of global environmental challenges. This engaging module examines the international legal response to those challenges.

We will delve into the socio-economic, political and scientific implications of environmental problems. As we do so, we will assess the impact of those implications on law and policy-making.

The module focuses on a number of contemporary environmental problems: climate change, marine pollution, the protection of international watercourses, fisheries and biodiversity, and the relationship between trade and the environment. You will assess the strengths and inadequacies of the law in regulating each of these issues.

We also typically cover topics such as:

• fundamental concepts and principles of international environmental law
• sustainable development and the precautionary principle
• how international environmental law operates (law-making, environmental governance and institutional structure)
• compliance with environmental rules and standards

You will be taught by academics in the field many of whom are active researchers. Typically, research within the teaching team informs this module.

How do international laws protect, govern and shape your human rights?

This module provides an overview of the various rights that are protected through international instruments: civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.

You will also be given a general introduction to regional and universal systems for human rights protection and promotion. This will focus on the UN human rights system but you will be encouraged to take a comparative view of regional human rights protection systems.

You will have the opportunity to gain a substantive and procedural knowledge of human rights through the international system. And you’ll engage with some key debates in this legal arena, such as the development of human rights and the human rights obligations of non-state actors.

To get the most from this module, you will have some knowledge of general international law and have a law or social science background.

Our Law School is home to research-active academics, you will have the chance to benefit from some of their expertise as many teach on areas closely aligned with their own research interests.

Terrorism continues to be one of the greatest global challenges we face in the pursuit of international peace, stability and security.

This is a stimulating module that explores concepts from many areas of the law, including civil liberties, international law, criminal justice and human rights.

During the course of your studies you will look at the legal definitions of terrorism – from a regional, national, and international perspective. And you will have the opportunity to use counter-terrorism case studies to examine specific aspects of preventative justice measures.

This is a fast-moving and unpredictable area of law, so the material that we cover may change in order to track the prevailing issues and latest developments. However, typically you will consider civil liberties alongside some of the contemporary challenges facing domestic and international legal systems.

The examination of the topics is carried out through a vigorous interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach – offering you greater understanding and appreciation of the subject matter.

Our Law School is home to lawyers and research-active academics - you will benefit from their expertise as they teach on areas closely aligned with their own research interests.

This module aims to provide you with a broad understanding of the main areas of study within the field of international relations (IR). The introductory session seeks to address the general question as to what constitutes the study of IR. Subsequent sessions aim to examine the major approaches to the discipline (both mainstream and critical), focusing upon the distinctive insights and analyses that they have brought to bear.You will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of the nature of the wide-ranging theoretical debates that have shaped the discipline and will also be encouraged to take a critical approach to these debates to consider the ways in which we study IR.

More particularly, you have the opportunity to:

• understand and critically assess the interpretation of the world and of IR put forward by each theory
• evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each theory
• apply the theoretical tools to the “facts out there” (linking theory with practice)

This module examines the United Nations in international law. The UN is the only truly global international institution and creates the framework in which much of international law is developed and applied.

The module will explore the UN’s structure, history, legal personality, membership and law-making. It will also look at how the organisation can be legally responsible for its acts, in particular the activities of UN peacekeepers. Lastly, it will investigate the functions of the International Court of Justice as the UN’s principal judicial organ.

The convenor of this module has recently contributed a chapter on International Organisations for the Oxford Handbook on Jurisdiction

National and ethnic tensions lie at the heart of many contemporary international conflicts. But what are the rights of peoples, national minorities and indigenous peoples under international law?

Our Rights of Peoples module takes an in-depth look at this key question and encourages you to critically explore the idea of a national identity and relations between groups within states.

Typically, you will examine:

• questions of statehood
• the borders of states
• their form of government
• the allocation of resources
• protection of the environment

A combination of independent reading and seminars with research-active lawyers and academics will provide you with the opportunity to gain a sound grasp of this legal area.

This module aims to examine the changing character of war and security in a time of rapid and disruptive technological and geopolitical/ecological change. We will combine analysis of contemporary policy documents with the interdisciplinary insights of intellectuals - such as Zygmunt Bauman and Paul Virilio - that have examined how war has changed in the modern age.

You will be introduced to a range of concepts that are relevant to the debates about the future of war – concepts such as ambiguous war, the gray zone, unrestricted warfare, the third offset strategy and the three block war.

While we ground the module in broader debates from social and political thought about war and modernity, you will also have the opportunity to explore a range of evolving and inter-related case studies that are central to understanding how war is changing, for example: cybersecurity/artificial intelligence; cities and urban war; drones and the future of robotics; climate change and ecological insecurity.