Studying online

There are now 2 possible online modes for units:

Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.

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Unit Overview

Description

This unit aims to introduce students to the regime of foreign investment promotion and protection. There are over 3300 international investment treaties. These provide substantive standards of investment protection, as well investment dispute settlement mechanisms to resolve disputes between foreign investors and their host states. This unit addresses a number of basic questions: What is an investment? What is foreign direct investment? Who is a foreign investor? What is the justification for international investment agreements? Why do countries enter into or conclude international investment agreements? To address these questions, this unit will critically engage with the history and political economy of the international law on foreign direct investment. Students will explore investment protection under international investment agreements and international investment dispute settlement mechanisms, the impact of foreign investment law on such topics as human rights, corporate social responsibility, labour rights and environmental protection, and analyse how international investment agreements and arbitration stand to limit the authority of states to regulate for the public interests in these and other areas.

Credit
6 points
Offering
(see Timetable)
AvailabilityLocationMode
Semester 2UWA (Perth)Face to face
Details for undergraduate courses
  • Level 3 option in the Business Law major sequence
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) describe core concepts in International Investment Law; (2) compare the various sources of International Investment Law

; (3) assess the substantive standards of investment protection and the rights of foreign investors founded on these substantive standards

; and (4) assess the essentials of international investment law, from various perspectives.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) participation; (2) assignment; and (3) exam. Further information is available in the unit outline.



Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Alvin Yap
Unit rules
Prerequisites
LAWS2201 Legal Framework of Business
or LAWS2206 Taxation Law
or LAWS2207 Commercial Law
Contact hours
3 hours per week
  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.