This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the general international law principles that regulate the creation and functioning of international (i.e. intergovernmental) organisations and with knowledge of how these principles apply in the particular context of the legal regimes applicable to specific international organisations, such as the United Nations, WTO, and regional intergovernmental organisations.
The skills prioritised by this course are critical analysis (S1, LO2) and problem solving (S2, LO3). The module aims to allow students who already have some knowledge of public international law to develop a more detailed and sophisticated understanding of this field of law by analysing how these general principles apply in this context. By incorporating elements of international organisations theory, the module aims to enable students to think critically about the impact of international organisations.
The module aims to give students a thorough knowl edge of the legal issues raised by the everyday operation of international organisations, such as their decision-making and budgetary processes. In this way, the module aims to promote the employability of Liverpool graduates by preparing students for future careers in international organisations. The summative exam incorporates authentic assessment in the form of a problem question, in which students are asked to advise on the application of the law to a scenario involving international organisation practice (LO3). The exam is unseen but open book, to authentically replicate the conditions of legal practice.

(LO1) Students will be able to identify, define, and critically analyse the core doctrinal concepts of the law of international organisations

(LO2) Students will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of the theoretical approaches to understanding the role and function of international organisations

(LO3) Students will be able to apply the rules of international organisations law to real-life situations, appreciating that no two organisations are the same (with a specific awareness of the important difference between universal and regional organisations)

(LO4) Students will be able to demonstrate an awareness of the interaction of political and legal factors in the conduct of international relations

(S1) Study skills (e.g. conduct independent research and critically analyse a new field of law)

(S2) Problem-solving skills (e.g. applying legal knowledge to real-world situations)

(S3) Communication and reasoning skills (e.g. in seminars and in a group presentation)

(S4) Employability skills (e.g. collaborative practice and time management)

Indicative topics:

•The concept of international organisations and their historical context
•Theoretical perspectives on the function and purpose of international organisations
•The legal basis of international organisations, including issues relating to legal powers (express and implied) and legal personality
•Issues relating to membership (admission and withdrawal)
•Decision-making, e.g. voting procedures and budgetary matters
•Law-making powers of international organisations
•Immunities and issues relating to legal responsibility (and the possibility of judicial review)
•Case studies on different international organisations e.g. United Nations, World Trade Organization, African Union

Teaching Method 1: Lecture

Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 22 hours (weeks 1 to 12, except reading week)
Description: Weekly lectures will deliver the core content of the course.
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 2: Seminars

Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 1.5 hours x 4 spread across the semester; 6 hours total over the semester.
Description: Students are expected to participate actively in a discussion of the issues raised by the preparatory reading.
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Self-Directed Learning Hours: 112 hours
Description: Students are expected to prepare for each seminar in advance by completing reading assignments included in the module handbook, to work in groups to prepare their assessed group presentations, and to revise for the end-of-module exam.

Teaching Method 3: Structured workshop
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 2 hours x 1 (1 week, 2 hours total)
Description: A structured workshop in the second h alf of the semester will be dedicated to problem solving technique in the context of the Law of International Organisations, to prepare the students for the exam.
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Self-directed Learning hours: 8 hours
Description: Students are expected to prepare answers to practice exam problem questions ahead of the workshop.