. LCP4801/201/1/2018
Tutorial Letter 201/1/2018
International Law
LCP4801
Semester 1
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC, CONSTITUTIONAL
AND INTERNATIONAL LAW
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
This tutorial letter contains important information
about your module.
, LCP4801/201
CONTENTS
Page
1. INTRODUCTION…………….………………................................................................................... 3
2. FEEDBACK ON THE COMPULSORY ASSIGNMENT………………………………………………. 3
3. FEEDBACK ON THE OCTOBER/NOVEMBER EXAMINATION PAPER…………………………. 5
4. THE MAY/ JUNE 2018 EXAMINATION……………………………………………………………… 20
5. CONCLUSION……………………………………………………………………………….………….. 21
2
, LCP4801/201
Dear Student
1. INTRODUCTION
This is the last tutorial letter for this semester. It contains commentary on the compulsory
assignments for this semester and the October/November 2017 examination paper. You will
also find a brief indication of what you can expect in the examination in May/June 2018.
2. FEEDBACK ON THE COMPULSORY ASSIGNMENTS
ASSIGNMENT 1 (15 MARCH 2018)
Write an essay in which you discuss the history and development of public international
law. [25]
In this assignment we were looking for the following:
Your knowledge and understanding of the history and development of international law in
general.
Your ability to differentiate between the all four periods of this development;
Your ability to synthesise information coherently and logically.
We were also mindful of the fact that each student had an individual and unique approach to the
assignment question and that the length of your assignment was limited. The information below
is therefore not a model answer, nor a comprehensive or an exhaustive one: It is simply an
example of some of the issues, which you could have mentioned:
Suggested answer:
Your answer should have covered the following, as detailed in Strydom pages 5 to 31.
You were expected to cover the period that characterised the beginnings of the modern state
system; the period from the 1500s to 1648; the emergence of modern Europe and its
accompanying economic expansion and socio-political transformations. Your answer should
have included a discussion of the Westphalian model, sovereign equality of states and respect
for their independence as well as the contribution of eminent writers of the time, such as van
Bynkershoek, Grotius etc.
The next era in your discussion should have been the period from 1648 to 1815 which was
characterised by conflict between the three new powers in Europe, namely the Netherlands,
Britain and France.
This would be followed by the period from 1815 to 1914 which was characterised by occupation
of African territories by European forces and the legitimation of this by the Berlin Conference.
This discussion would be followed by the period after the First and Second World Wars, and
how these two major occurrences shaped international law.
3
Tutorial Letter 201/1/2018
International Law
LCP4801
Semester 1
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC, CONSTITUTIONAL
AND INTERNATIONAL LAW
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
This tutorial letter contains important information
about your module.
, LCP4801/201
CONTENTS
Page
1. INTRODUCTION…………….………………................................................................................... 3
2. FEEDBACK ON THE COMPULSORY ASSIGNMENT………………………………………………. 3
3. FEEDBACK ON THE OCTOBER/NOVEMBER EXAMINATION PAPER…………………………. 5
4. THE MAY/ JUNE 2018 EXAMINATION……………………………………………………………… 20
5. CONCLUSION……………………………………………………………………………….………….. 21
2
, LCP4801/201
Dear Student
1. INTRODUCTION
This is the last tutorial letter for this semester. It contains commentary on the compulsory
assignments for this semester and the October/November 2017 examination paper. You will
also find a brief indication of what you can expect in the examination in May/June 2018.
2. FEEDBACK ON THE COMPULSORY ASSIGNMENTS
ASSIGNMENT 1 (15 MARCH 2018)
Write an essay in which you discuss the history and development of public international
law. [25]
In this assignment we were looking for the following:
Your knowledge and understanding of the history and development of international law in
general.
Your ability to differentiate between the all four periods of this development;
Your ability to synthesise information coherently and logically.
We were also mindful of the fact that each student had an individual and unique approach to the
assignment question and that the length of your assignment was limited. The information below
is therefore not a model answer, nor a comprehensive or an exhaustive one: It is simply an
example of some of the issues, which you could have mentioned:
Suggested answer:
Your answer should have covered the following, as detailed in Strydom pages 5 to 31.
You were expected to cover the period that characterised the beginnings of the modern state
system; the period from the 1500s to 1648; the emergence of modern Europe and its
accompanying economic expansion and socio-political transformations. Your answer should
have included a discussion of the Westphalian model, sovereign equality of states and respect
for their independence as well as the contribution of eminent writers of the time, such as van
Bynkershoek, Grotius etc.
The next era in your discussion should have been the period from 1648 to 1815 which was
characterised by conflict between the three new powers in Europe, namely the Netherlands,
Britain and France.
This would be followed by the period from 1815 to 1914 which was characterised by occupation
of African territories by European forces and the legitimation of this by the Berlin Conference.
This discussion would be followed by the period after the First and Second World Wars, and
how these two major occurrences shaped international law.
3
