Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Sovereignty, nationality, jurisdiction, arbitration. Examination of selected cases exemplifying present trends in the international legal order.

COURSE DETAILS:

Why should we study International Law? Principally, because legal systems in today’s highly interactive, globalized world are highly interconnected: We travel and migrate to other countries, and we trade, invest, go to war with and seek peaceful, diplomatic solutions with other countries. This introductory course in International Law assumes no prior knowledge of the topic. We will examine the fundamental concepts, principles, rules and issues of public international law with a view to better understanding how the “world works” and how to make it a better place for all. Some of the core questions we consider in the course include: How is International Law made, and what are its sources? How well does IL operate in the real world in altering the actions of states, or violent groups? If violations or non-compliance of International Law occurs, what can be done? In the broadest context, we critically examine the relationship between International Law, politics and values in international relations amongst states. Attention is given to the establishment of an international order, balanced by justice.  

The course is divided into three parts. We begin by understanding the historical evolution and sources of international law, along with the various approaches to the subject. Next, we examine the main concepts and substantive rules of international law, including: the use of force; the law of treaties and compliance issues; statehood, state responsibility, self-determination, secession, pacific dispute settlement and diplomatic laws. Last, we investigate contemporary issues and debates on the role of international law in making a better world. A range of areas of international laws will be explored, such as human rights law, humanitarian law and the Responsibility to Protect, international criminal law, international economic law, the Law of the Sea, and international environmental law. We also consider issues of justice, including how to address massive human rights violations like genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, modern-day slavery or human trafficking, and the plight of refugees, migrants or stateless persons in an unsettled world.

There will be a four-hour interactive seminar each week.

 

Grading

Materials

REQUIRED READING: