APU 2021 Globalization and Law (English)

Detailed Syllabus

Detailed Syllabus will be made available to registered students through manaba.

Syllabus

This course will be offered inhybrid (HyFlex) mode.

Course Topics
Global Governance, International Law, International Institutions, Sustainable Development, Environmental Treaties, Trade System
Requirements for Enrollement
Students are expected to be familiar with basic concepts of international relations, such as State sovereignty.
It is recommendable that students take International Law EA prior to taking this course.
Course Overview
We currently live in a world where a web of interdependence is felt at a global scale. In this era of global governance, international law is no longer exclusively used by diplomats and professionals at international organizations; it has become an essential tool for local administrative officials, business persons, journalists, and activists. As citizens, we also need to understand the fundamentals of international law, particularly how international institutions function, since much of local public policies or private business activities cannot be separated from influential standards set through global governance. This course is, thus, for anyone who wishes to better understand the increasingly complicated world we live in from a legal lens.
Course Objectives
Students in this course will be expected to achieve the following APS Learning Goals:
1. Academic Knowledge and Understanding
1-a. Students have acquired a basic knowledge of the global society with an emphasis on the Asia Pacific region and other related knowledge.
1-b. Students have progressed toward a comprehensive understanding of the area of study (International Relations and Peace Studies)
2. Abilities and Skills
2-a. Students have improved their logical and critical thinking.

This course will be structured around the following specific learning outcomes:
i) Students can identify the value clashes and structural problems around the world and explain their issues through the lens of international law
ii) Students can explain the governing principles and the architectural design of international institutions;
iii) Students can apply legal principles and standards to assess global issues;
iv) Students can explain the functions of international institutions in promoting sustainable development.
Teaching Methods
Class time will be used for a combination of lectures, discussions, and group exercises. Students are expected to read materials prior to each class, so that they can share their findings and opinions as well as raise questions in the class.
Overview of Each Class
(Introduction)
1. Introduction to the course, key concepts
2. "Sustainable Development"
3. The WHO and its response to COVID-19

(Economic globalization and law)
4. International trade regime (1) - The structure of the WTO
5. International trade regime (2) - Basic rules
6. International trade regime (3) - Trade law and the environmental protection
7. International investment agreements

(Global environmental protection and law)
8. The basics of international environmental law
9. Ecosystems and biodiversity
10. Earth's atmosphere and climate change
11. Hazardous items
12. The World Heritage

(The roles of non-state actors)
13. International financial institutions
14. Business

Note that some of the themes and their order may be changed so that actual issues could be integrated into the classes.
Pre-class Study and Revision Load
Preparation (1-2h): Students are expected to visit manaba prior to each class, download and read class materials, and get familiar with them. The quiz will be asked based on preparation assignments.

Review (1-2h): There will be 5 review assignments between Class 3 and 13 based on the contents of the class. Each review assignment will require some 600 words report. In case of absence, students are expected to catch up based on the instructions provided on manaba.
Method of Grade Evaluation
Quiz (20%)
Review assignments (40%)
Final report (40%)
There will be no points given by just attending classes.
Method of Implementing Multicultural Collaborative Learning
“International law offers a vocabulary for political debate” (Klabbers, 2017). This course will not provide legal answers to specific questions, like state A acted legally or in violation of international human rights law. Rather, this course will train students to assess a certain situation through a legal lens and also to conduct legal argumentation. In order to disassociate their personal feelings from legal thinking, students may be asked to provide legal justifications of the positions that do not necessarily match their moral or cultural perspectives.
Students will be required to actively participate in the classroom through the online tool (ex. respon) and group work. Group works are particularly important for students to practice such skills through a dialogic process.
Requirements for Students
Priorities: (1) Your safety > (2) Stress management > (3) Class participation and assignments
(1) An up-most important principle is that you stay safe and reduce the risk of spreading the COVID-19 disease. In case of any sickness, please take measures needed to recover; there’s no need to take part in classes in such a situation.
(2) You will be taking classes in a stressful time and you may not be in the best environment to study. In order to sustainably study, do not over-burden yourself. If you face difficulties, please contact the Lecturer.
(3) The Course is designed to meet the needs of healthy students with the willingness to study, while taking a flexible approach to accommodate specific needs that arise from the above reasons. There will be no penalties for being absent from some classes or late submission of review assignments. Please carefully read the detailed syllabus, which will be made available on the first day of the class.
Rules for Zoom-based classes
(1) It is your responsibility to arrange an environment that suits Zoom (internet connection, headsets, camera, study space etc.). Contact APU Office for support.
(2) No recording or photo-taking is allowed. (Exceptions apply in case of reasonable accommodation)
(3) In principle, students are expected to turn on their videos. In case of feeling stressed to be watched throughout the class, a student can turn off her/his video during lectures, and turn it on again when discussion takes place.
(4) Do not speak without permission from the Lecturer to avoid disruptions. You can notify Lecturer about questions or issues via chat.
(5) It is advisable that students divide breaks and classes to keep concentration. For this reason, eating during class is discouraged.
(6) Do not share meeting ID and password to others.
Textbook
Malcolm Evans (ed), Blackstone's International Law Documents(Oxford University Press, 14th edition, 2019).
Any student interested in also taking "Human Rights EA" (Spring 2Q) and/or "International Law" (Fall 1Q) are encouraged to purchase the below listed compilation of international legal documents.
Reading international legal documents are essential, but students may also find the original texts online.
Other materials
Henriksen, A. (2021). International law (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Klabbers, J. (2021). International law (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Herdegen, M. (2016). Principles of International Economic Law (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. (eBook is available at APU Library)
Dupuy, P.-M., & Viñuales, J. E. (2018). International Environmental Law (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Further materials will be listed on manaba.
Misc. Notes
This Syllabus may be subject to updates or modifications. Any changes will be announced in a class and the latest version will be uploaded to manaba.