Course Outline

Brief Course Description:

 

The course introduces students to the principles of International Law, its evolution through international organisations, and its application to contemporary issues through case studies in ‘statehood’, foreign policy-making and conflict-resolution. It begins by laying foundational knowledge about sovereignty and its sources, statehood, state recognition and state responsibility in the current international system. Then the course will enter the realm of diplomatic practices, privileges and immunities, consular agents, special missions and representation in international institutions. Accordingly, structures and procedures on international organisations, intergovernmental organisations and the non-states that influence political outcomes will be extensively considered. It will study law of treaties-bilateral and multilateral- and the UN Charter as both a treaty and a constitution. Treaty-based international regimes in human rights, law of the sea, trade, security and economic development. Students will be able to grasp how general principles and treaties translate into specific legal instruments. It will feature emerging topics of international negotiation, convention of rights, humanitarian intervention and study the transformative role of international law since 1945 till today.

 

 

Aims:

 

•   To provide knowledge of the procedural rules and processes which form the basis of international law, incorporating aspects of both private and public international law, including the sources and institutions of international law, together with detailed consideration of a number of spheres of activity directly influenced by it.

•   To interconnect the significance, structures and functions of international organisations and regimes of cooperation with the study of international law.

 

Learning Outcomes:

 

•   Enhance Knowledge & Understanding of International Law: Examine the scope and influence of international law, together with detailed application in specific areas.

•   Gain insights about political structure and purposes of International Organisations.

•   Critical Analysis: How to engage in critical discussion of key themes within the subject area and apply law to a factual scenario.

•   Transferable Skills: Time management, research and presentation skills.

Mode of Assessment: (subject to change)

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT

·      2 Short assignments (20% each – Total 40%) – 800-1000 words each, 1-page single spaced. Pick 2 weeks during the course to write a short brief on the topic of discussion for the week. After reading the assigned material for the week, the student should pick up one question or issue and write the note on that question/issue. SUMMARIES OF THE READINGS WILL BE HEAVILY PENALIZED. This note should be submitted through UMS Platform.

·      Quiz (10%) – There will be a quiz after Topic 5. 

·     ENDTERM ASSESSMENT

·   Take Home – (50%) – Case Study on the Role of International Law and International Organizations. Details will be provided in the class after Lecture 1.

CASE STUDY OUTLINE

Case Study on the Role of International Law and International Organizations.

 

1. Pick a topic of your interest. For example, I think that climate change is the most pressing challenge for humankind.

2. Describe the nature of the problem, specifically focusing on how the challenge is transboundary in nature, because the underlying assumption is that if it is limited to within a state and manageable by the state itself, then they would rely on self-help. That said, there is truly no problem which is fully local.

3. After describing the nature of the problem, lay out the role of existing or proposed frameworks to tackle the problem, which might take the form of international legal arrangements, alongwith existing or proposed international institutional apparatus to tackle the problem.

4. Finally, provide some analysis or commentary on how IL & IOs play a role in defining the problems, proposing solutions, facilitating action etc.