The course is delivered in two Parts. Part I comprises four foundational 3-hour lectures (total 12 hours), which introduce the theory and history of International Dispute Resolution, as well as the six primary mechanisms of IDR contained in Article VI of the United Nations Charter. These mechanisms are: Negotiation, Mediation, Inquiry, Conciliation, Arbitration and Judicial Settlement. Part II comprises the 3-day Intensive IDR workshop (total 24 hours). This workshop provides experiential learning opportunities for students, as they participate in a series of real-life IDR simulations.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Define, explain, distinguish and apply the basic concepts and terminology of the international law relating to international dispute resolution;
   
2. Define and distinguish amongst the variety of processes by which international dispute resolution is undertaken and the roles played by the most important courts, tribunals and institutions;
   
3. Define, explain and apply the relevant principles of international dispute resolution as found in the 1945 Charter of the United Nations, and the 1945 Statute of the International Court of Justice;
   
4. Explain and demonstrate through particular cases the relevance of international dispute resolution to current political and social developments at the international and national levels;
   
5. Select and apply a range of approaches in written and oral communication, and apply critical thinking required to bring about creative solutions to complex international dispute resolution problems;
   
6. Use, interpret and apply a wide range of legal materials in both on-line and traditional media from international and national sources; and
   
7. Plan and complete a research project or task, with some independence.
   

Research-Led Teaching

The learning outcomes and aligned assessment for this course are designed to strengthen the capacity of students to conduct top-quality independent research and analysis. The course exposes students to contemporary research and debates on a range of mechanisms for international dispute resolution. 

The course convenor, Professor Jeremy Farrall, has an active international law research agenda, including on the role of the United Nations in promoting the peaceful settlement of international disputes. His books include Strengthening the Rule of Law through the UN Security Council (Routledge 2016, with Hilary Charlesworth),The Role of International Law in Rebuilding Societies After Conflict (Cambridge 2009, with Brett Bowden and Hilary Charlesworth), Sanctions, Accountability and Governance in a Globalised World (Cambridge 2009, with Kim Rubenstein) and United Nations Sanctions and the Rule of Law (Cambridge 2007).

Professor Richard Rowe PSM is a former senior officer of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade where he was the Department’s Senior Legal Adviser with overall responsibility for the International Legal as well as the Corporate Law areas. He has also been Head of the International Organisations and Legal Division and the Pacific Division in the Department. He has been Ambassador to Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and has served in senior positions in Australian Missions in New York, Geneva, Noumea, London and Hanoi. He is an Honorary Professor in the ANU College of Law. He has a particular interest in diplomatic tradecraft and negotiation skills.

Required Resources

J.G. Merrills, International Dispute Settlement, (7th ed, Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, 2022).

Recommended Resources

Yoshifumi Tanaka, The Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, 2017).

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

Task submission times refer to Canberra time (AEST/AEDT).

Extensions, late submission and penalties: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/extensions-late-submission-and-penalties

Extenuating circumstances: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/extenuating-circumstances-application

Deferred examination: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/deferred-examinations

Penalties for excess word length: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/word-length-and-excess-word-penalties

Distribution of grades policy: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/grading

Further information about the course: is available from the course Canvas page. Students are required to access the Canvas site regularly throughout the course for any announcements relating to the course.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The ANU Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as providing clear guidance on the responsible and ethical use of AI technologies.

The following resources may also be useful:

• The ANU Library's Libguide is a valuable resource for gaining a comprehensive understanding of AI's role in academia.

• The ANU Academic Skills site provides useful information to ensure that you leverage AI responsibly and effectively.

• The ANU College of Law Academic Integrity and Misconduct site provides content related to legal implications, ethical guidelines, and considerations when dealing with AI in the context of law.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to Course (30 mins)Basic Concepts (30 mins)The UN Charter Framework for IDR (30 mins)Introduction to Assessment Tasks (30 mins)	In-person
2	Introducing Principled NegotiationThe Practice of NegotiationNegotiation simulation	In-person
5	4-day Intensive IDR WorkshopDay 1 Monday 23 June 9am - 5pmOpening session: Australia’s contributions to International Dispute ResolutionSimulation 1: NegotiationDay 2 Tuesday 24 June 9am -5pmSimulation 2: InquirySimulation 3: MediationDay 3 Wednesday 25 June 9am -5pmSimulation 4: ConciliationSimulation 5: Judicial SettlementDay 4 Thursday 26 June 9am -5pmSimulation 6: Judicial SettlementFinal session: Future Directions for International Dispute Resolution	9am to 5pm, Monday-Thursday 23, 24, 25 & 26 June 2025 (inclusive): In-Person

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Participation	10 %	30/06/2025	01/07/2025	1,4,5,6
Reflective Journal Entry.	30 %	01/07/2025	17/07/2025	1,2,3,5
Research Essay	60 %	21/07/2025	15/08/2025	2,4,6,7

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

The course provides experiential, simulation-based learning opportunities, in which you will participate directly in six different real-life IDR scenarios. Attendance is therefore compulsory at ALL classes (and all of each class).

If circumstances arise which are beyond your control and that you are unable to attend a class, you must contact the Course Convenor in advance (where possible). If it is not possible to give advance notice, you must send the convenor an email as soon as possible with evidence to support the reason for your absence.

Examination(s)

There is no final examination for this course.

Assessment Task 1

Participation

Details of task: This assessment task assesses your level of participation and engagement in class discussions and the simulations in the 4-day Intensive IDR Workshop.

Nature of Task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Failure to participate throughout the course may result in a in a mark of zero for this assessment task.

Weighting: 10%

Due date: Ongoing

Estimated Return Date: 1 July 2025. Results will be released via Canvas.

Assessment Criteria :

• Amount of verbal participation
• Effective verbal communication and delivery (volume, tone, length, precision of language, clarity of expression etc)
• Preparation for class

Assessment Task 2

Reflective Journal Entry.

Details of Task: Students will prepare a Journal Entry reflecting on their experiences in one or more of the course simulations. This means, in order to complete this task and this course, you must attend all classes and all of each class.

Nature of Task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Failure to submit this assessment will result in a mark of zero for this assessment task.

Weighting: 30%

Word Limit: 1,500 words. A bibliography is not required. The ANU College of Law's Word Length and Excess Word penalties policy can be found here.

Due Date: 5pm, Tuesday 1 July 2025. Due to the nature of the task, late submission or extension is not permitted.

Estimated Return Date: 17 July 2025.

Assessment Criteria:

1. Level of participation;
2. Effectiveness of participation;
3. Written expression;
4. Effective use of words to address key issues; and
5. Critical and analytical response to relevant material.

Assessment Task 3

Research Essay

Details of task: You will prepare a research essay on a topical issue relating to International Dispute Resolution. A list of essay topics will be posted on the Canvas site in week one. You must choose one of these topics.

Nature of task: Compulsory. Non completion of this task will result in a 0 for this assessment task.

Value or weighting: 60%

Release: Week 1 via Canvas.

Due date: 5:00pm, Monday 21 July 2025 via Turnitin. Late submissions (without an extension) are permitted, however late penalties will apply.

Word limit: 3,000 words. The ANU College of Law's Word Length and Excess Word penalties policy can be found here.

Estimated return date: 15 August 2025

Assessment Criteria:

• Effective written communication
• Knowledge and understanding
• Legal reasoning and legal argument (legal problem solving tasks)
• Analytical and critical thinking and argument
• Originality and creativity
• Logical development of ideas – structure and headings
• Legal and scholarly research
• Referencing and citation

An assessment rubric for this task will be posted on the course Canvas site in week one.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. You must ensure that you upload the correct document on the specified submission due date and time. Any document modified after the due date and time will either incur a late penalty or will NOT be accepted. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education), submission must be through Turnitin in a word processing file format (.doc, .docx). Electronic copies in .pdf file format are not acceptable.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item.

• Late submission is not accepted for tests or examinations.

• Late submission with an extension. To ensure equity for all students, the 5% penalty per working day for late submission of work does not apply if you have been granted an extension. Where an extension is granted, the revised due date and submission time will be provided in writing. Importantly, any revised due date is inclusive of weekends and public holidays. Regardless of which day of the week the revised due date falls on, students who submit after that date will be penalised by 5% of the possible marks available for the task per 24-hour period.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

All marks and feedback will be provided by the return date listed in the class summary.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

A resubmission refers to the act of re-uploading a submission for an assessment task after an initial submission has already been made. This typically occurs when a student realises they have submitted an incorrect or incomplete document and wishes to upload the correct version.

Resubmissions are permitted up to the due date and time without penalty. After this point, any resubmissions will incur the relevant late penalty with no exceptions.

If you need to request that your original submission be deleted in order to resubmit, please email enquiries.clgp@anu.edu.au. Do not contact your course convenor directly regarding this matter.

Please note: If a task states that no late submissions are permitted, then resubmissions will not be accepted under any circumstances after the due date and time.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students