LWMIGG-International Organisations and Global Governance

Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Registered for a postgraduate programme in Law or selected MA programmes or with permission of the Director of PGT Studies in Law.
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Vicky Kapogianni
Email: v.kapogianni@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module identifies, examines, and critically evaluates a number of key international organisations as well as interdisciplinary content on their role in global governance. The module covers relevant legal principles, ranging from the creation of an international organisation with separate legal personality, its outputs and role in the global order, its legal obligations and dispute settlement, recognising the historical, political and economic context in which organisations operate and interact with other subjects of the international legal order. The module is taught through a focus on different international organisations as case studies throughout the module, and with the development of thematic understanding throughout the module.

Aims:

The module focuses on international organisations and global governance. Traditionally, states have been the primary actors within the international legal order. However, and particularly since the creation of the United Nations (UN) in 1945, the roles and influences of international organisations have steadily grown, with the consequence that they have become significant legal actors in their own rights. The nature and scope of these organisations vary, ranging from universal organisations such as the UN, to regional ones like the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU), to intergovernmental ones that focus on specific thematic issues areas, like NATO does in relation to peace and security and the World Trade Organization (WTO) in relation to trade. Each of those organisations plays a different role in global governance and the global order. This module identifies, examines, and critically evaluates a number of key international organisations. The module covers relevant legal principles, ranging from the creation of an international organisation with separate legal personality, its outputs and role in the global order, its legal obligations and dispute settlement, recognising the historical, political and economic context in which organisations operate and interact with other subjects of the international legal order. The module is taught through a focus on different international organisations as case studies throughout the module, and with the development of thematic understanding throughout the module. The module aims to develop students’ key skillsets, including by engaging in discussion, independent research and creativity required for the podcast, and through the written assessment. At the same time, the module aims to encourage students new to the field to analyse the political and legal framework in which states and other subjects of international law agree on their political and legal commitments and "enforce" each other’s international legal obligations.

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of the module, students will be expected to be able to:

• Demonstrate a sound substantive knowledge of international organisations and global governance, including many of the principal underpinning principles and laws, gained through both class participation and self-study.


• Critically analyse and assess the activities, outputs, and influences of international organisations, particularly in terms of their law-making contributions as well as related responsibilities and accountability under international law.

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Additional outcomes:

Given the fact that the module is orientated towards seminar teaching and independent study, it will encourage autonomy with regard to reflective critical analysis and debate of the legal and policy topics examined, as well as high-level oral and written communication skills.

These outcomes are in addition to those listed in the School's ‘core skills statement'.

Outline content:

The module will explore different international organisations, with a case study focus on each one. It will be team taught, drawing upon the ex