Course description
Course Summary
The General LLM course allows students to choose from a range of international and English law specialist subjects, including aspects of commercial and international trade law, intellectual property and international human rights. This enables graduates to fill the increasing demand for expertise in these areas and to produce their own 'bespoke' degree to suit their career needs. Further, because many of the modules have an international dimension, the LLM should also be of great interest to overseas candidates.
Course Details
The LLM is normally awarded to students who successfully complete four taught modules of 30 credits each and a dissertation weighted at 60 credits (180 credits in total). The subject of the dissertation must be in a field related to one of the law modules taken by the student.
Students who wish to undertake a dissertation involving empirical research are obliged to take the module in Social and Legal Research Skills.
Core Modules
Dissertation
After the taught modules have been completed in May, you will work on your dissertation under the supervision of a member of Law staff on a topic agreed between you and the Programme Director. This will provide you with an opportunity to deepen your understanding of a particular area of interest. The dissertation is due at the end of September.
Elective Modules
Four from a selection that currently includes:
Intellectual Property Practice and Management
The course will prepare students interested in pursuing a career in Intellectual Property Law or allied spheres for the challenges they will face when they enter practice. It will cover all major areas of practical knowledge needed in a competitive International Intellectual Property industry.
International Trade Law
This includes the study of the law governing international contracts for the supply of goods, including the issues of transport, insurance, finance, arbitration, conflicts of laws, and international harmonisation of laws.
International Economic Law
This includes the study of the law governing economic relations between states, and in particular the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and its rules on the supply of goods and services, tariffs, subsidies and dumping.
International Intellectual Property Law
This course focuses on the European and international developments in Intellectual Property Law. It covers the national and international protection of Copyrights, Trademarks, Patents and sui generis rights. The module includes the study of WIPO treaties and TRIPS as well as European legislation.
International Commercial Arbitration
The main focus of the course is on the use of arbitration to resolve disputes arising out of international commercial transactions.
International Labour Law
The international structures, standards and processes developed by the international Labour Organisation (ILO) concerning equality, health and safety, child labour, freedom of association and other aspects of social justice in the workplace.
Fundamentals of Intellectual Property Law
The module aims to provide students with essential knowledge about the theoretical rationales and policy arguments for the recognition of intellectual property rights. Further, it seeks to explain the basic principles of Intellectual Property Law, the nature and scope of the rights covered, the procedures, both national and supranational, for the granting and recognition of the rights, the mechanisms for enforcement as well as defences against enforcement.
Public International law
This covers the law governing relations between states, including international personality, statehood and recognition, territorial sovereignty, immunity, the law of the sea, state responsibility, dispute resolution and the use of force and international human rights.
European and International Environmental Law
This includes the study of the framework of environmental protection in the European Union and the relationship with market integration; the enforcement of EU environmental law; and WTO law on environmental protection as well as its relationship with EU law.
International Finance Law
This module deals with the nature and function of banking, securities, and financial markets. It also covers European and international legal regulation of financial markets, as well as the role of international financial organisations.
Intellectual Property, the Media and the Internet
Main topics of study: copyright; trade marks; freedom of expression and the protection of IP looking at issues relating to the use of protected works and trademarks in boycott campaign for example or in defamation on and off line.
Development and Enforcement of International Human Rights
Theory of international human rights law; origins, development and sources of international human rights law; the United Nations human rights regime; the Council of Europe regime for human rights protection; the European Union and human rights; the OSCE and human rights; the inter-American system of human rights protection; the African system of human rights protection; Asia and human rights; civil and political rights; social, economic and cultural rights; racial discrimination; women’s rights; labour Rights; challenges and potential new directions for international human rights law.
International Humanitarian Law
Provides a detailed overview of international humanitarian law in context; studies and assesses the principles and rules relating to the protection of individuals, during armed conflict, means and methods of warfare, as well as the rules pertaining to protection of the environment and belligerent occupation; examines the implementation and enforcement of international humanitarian law; and discusses critically current developments and challenges for international humanitarian law.
International Comparitive and Criminal Justice
Comparative criminal justice thinking comparative research; the essential elements of pre-trial and trial criminal procedures in common law; the effects of the internationalisation of criminal law upon human rights enshrined in International Conventions and the ECHR in particular; criminal justice developments after September 11 and the possible impact of the terrorist threat upon human rights ideology in criminal justice.
International Human Rights Law and Islam
Students will examine the diversity within the Sharia principles and approaches towards human rights: think critically about the overall relationship of the Sharia with modern international law and human rights law; examine the role and relationship of Sharia with several of the controversial subjects within human rights law – these include the Sharia and women’s rights, the Sharia and Child rights, Islam and family law, Islam and minority rights, Islam and the prohibition of terrorism; critically examine the issue of reform and greater compatibility of the Sharia with human rights values.
International Criminal Law
A detailed overview of international criminal law within public international law context and its relationship to international human rights law; international criminal law and its basic principles, concepts and methodologies as well as the sources and methods of research in the field; the evolution of the concept of international crime and how international crimes violate human rights; the role played by the United Nations and its subsidiary bodies in the development of international criminal law; the implementation and enforcement of international criminal law; current developments and challenges for international criminal law.
Collective Security Law
The concept and development of international collective security; the role of law in collective security; the UN collective security system; alternatives to UN enforcement action; collective security outside the UN; defence, security and sub-regional organisations; case studies; questions of doctrine and practice; factors that affect the effectiveness of collective security the future of collective security.
Note: modules are subject to withdrawal at the School's discretion.
Special Features
Law at Brunel
Law at Brunel University is well established and highly rated for its published scholarship. Law at Brunel is well known amongst law firms for its distinctive undergraduate sandwich courses. It has recently been through the University's periodic review, which is designed to ensure that high standards of teaching are maintained. It has considerable expertise in various aspects of socio-legal scholarship, international trade law and European and international commercial law.
Brunel University
Brunel University has a population of over 13,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students, including 1,600 overseas students from 110 countries. The campus is conveniently located in Uxbridge on the western outskirts of London, close to Heathrow Airport and with good transport links to central London. Most postgraduate students choose to live on or near the campus, within walking distance of seminar or lecture rooms, the Law School, and the library, and also the campus bank and shops and leisure, social and sports facilities. Uxbridge town centre is 15 minutes walk away.
The Graduate School
Brunel University offers the facilities of the Brunel Graduate School, which provides postgraduates with additional features for study and the opportunity to meet other postgraduate students from across the University.
Assessment
Taught modules are assessed by essay and examination.
Dissertation
After the taught modules have been completed in May, students taking the LLM will work on their dissertations. The subject of the dissertation must be in a field related to one of the taught law modules taken by the student. This will provide an opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of a particular area of interest. The dissertation is due at the end of September.
Teaching Methods
The teaching usually takes the form of classes, involving discussion of prepared reading, supplemented by lectures from the module teacher to introduce and consolidate the discussion. Use of WebCT, our online learning environment, will also help reinforce learning.
