Course Catalogue

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The course will focus on the establishment of the UN organisation, its legal status, its membership and the functioning of its main organs, including the Security Council, the General Assembly, the Secretary-General and the International Court of Justice-all major players in current international law. It will consider, in particular, the role of the UN in the maintenance of international peace and security and in the coordination of cooperation on pressing global problems such as nuclear weapons, the climate, refugees and conflict.

Weekly 2 hour seminars

This course is only available to LLB students.

A pass in Public International Law is required.

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4,000 word essay - 75%

Oral Assessment (presentation) (including 1,000 word [guideline length] handout for assessment) - 25%

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

■ To offer opportunity for an in-depth analysis of the contribution of the United Nations system to the development of Public International Law;

■ To develop an understanding of the legal and political factors that govern the functioning of the organisation;

■ to examine current developments in the United Nations;

■ to consider the effect of politics on the functioning of the United Nations;

■ to examine the relationship between the different organs of the United Nations; and

to compare the functioning of the United Nations with the functioning of the League of Nations.

By the end of the course the student should (subject specific skills):

■ possess a thorough understanding of the functioning of the United Nations;

■ be able to demonstrate an understanding of the sources of public international law related to the United Nations;

■ demonstrate a knowledge of the law relating to the functioning of international organisations;

■ assess the successes and shortcomings;

■ appreciate the causes of the difficulties experienced by an international organisation devoted to maintaining peace and security, including the problems of political interference, budgetary constraints and super-power rivalries;

■ have a comprehensive understanding of the UN organs, as reflected in current developments.

Generic Skills:

■ improve oral skills and levels of confidence (because of the participatory nature of the seminar; role-playing exercises are planned);

■ develop essay writing technique through dedicated feedback clinics embedded in seminars addressing structure and outline, introductions, and application of assessment criteria (esp in-class peer review of formative assessments);

■ add to their communication skills;

provide students with an opportunity to improve and develop their research skills online.

  Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.