LW7096 - Law of the WTO

You will receive a mixture of lectures and workshops. The lectures will cover a range of key theoretical and practical concepts in the law of the WTO. The workshops will provide you with an opportunity to explore the theory covered in the lectures and gain further practical insights based on contemporary developments. Directed learning will focus on pre-reading, activity-based learning through specially designed workshop exercises and the use of the e-Learning portal (Blackboard Ultra). Your Formative assessment will be achieved by self-test questions and case studies in module materials, group discussion, informal peer assessment and assessed and non-assessed exercises. Answers to self-test questions and answer plans to the case studies will be provided on the Blackboard Ultra site and your tutor will give oral and written feedback to you as required. Your independent learning will centre on you identifying further reading and research to provide deeper/broader knowledge and understanding of the WTO and its operation. Regular formative feedback will be provided by the teaching team and module tutor during timetabled sessions.

The staff who teach on this module have significant research experience in this area. As such, you will get significant academic support where necessary. All lectures will be recorded and made available to students to aid in learning and understanding. You will be encouraged to use this resource to develop your appreciation of the interrelated nature of the disparate areas of law studied as part of the module. The module will make use of Blackboard Ultra, where lecture materials, podcasts, recordings, and other learning support will be made available. The Blackboard Ultra site will also direct you to supplementary resources which you are encouraged to explore in addition to the material covered in lectures and workshops. The University has excellent library and teaching facilities, access to on-line legal databases and resources and appropriate software.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. You will be able to display and critically apply expert knowledge of the Law of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

2. You will be able to analyse and communicate complex legal and policy issues relating to issues surrounding the WTO.

3. You will be able to critically evaluate source material, suggest alternative approaches to the issues arising from the WTO and the application of these in practice. You will reflect on the application of your knowledge and that of others within practical contexts

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

4. You will take responsibility for your own independent learning in respect of the law of the WTO and policy, working independently to further enhance existing skills and develop new skills to a high level

Formative assessment will be achieved by self-test questions in module materials, group discussion, informal peer assessment and assessed and non-assessed exercises.

Summative Assessment will be undertaken on an individual basis by way of assignment, which constitutes 100% of the marks for this module. This assignment aims to encourage a deep and critical approach to learning, developing an ability to think widely about the issues around the law of the WTO presented within the module and to explore these in line with directed and independent learning.

The module is assessed by coursework with a maximum word limit of 3,000 words. The assessment will take the form of a problem-based scenario which will be designed to facilitate examination of specific aspects of relevant WTO law and related legal research and may include discussion of recent developments, where appropriate assessment criteria will be provided to enable you to understand what is expected of you and how you will be judged on your performance.

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By studying on this module, you will gain in-depth knowledge and understanding of WTO Law, informed by current practice, advanced scholarship and research, including a critical awareness and evaluation of current issues and developments in the subject. You will examine the history of the WTO, the institutions and the principle way in which the WTO operates. The module will engage you in critical discourse in relation to WTO Law, allow you to formulate balanced judgements on the role of the WTO in the management and regulation of international trade. With trading relationships under increasing scrutiny, studying on this module will significantly enhance your employability.