Course Details
Course Description and Learning Outcomes
Welcome to "International Law I". This is an introductory course focusing on the basic tenets, sources, subjects, mechanisms and general principles of international of law. The expected learning outcomes of the course are as follows:
Course Requirements and Grading
Students will be assigned readings on a weekly basis and are expected to come to class prepared and actively particapate to the in-class discussions. The up-to-date reading list can be found in the syllabus and. Please make sure that you check the list of readings each week to see if there are any updates. Students should also watch the video lectures prior to class. Please be reminded that the students are expected to attend the classes regularly and be in class on time. There will be regular quizzes to ensure that students revise the topics weekly. These quizzes can be in the form of priorly announced quizzes and/or pop-quizzes. Please follow the course syllabus for the date and time of the scheduled quizzes.
The final grade will be based on the following tasks:
Class Hours
We will meet on Mondays at 14:40 in classroom DB07. If you are late for the class, you will need to wait for the break to enter the classroom.
Video Lectures
Please watch the video lectures before coming to the class and take note of your questions. I will be answering your questions during the lectures.
Syllabus
Please study the course syllabus carefully and make sure to check out the details of the forthcoming week for updates (if available).
HADI Platform
Please remember that you may need to use the Hadi platform (i.e. Moodle) to complete the quizzes and to join interactive exercises.
This week, we will make a brief introduction to the course and go over the course description, requirements and the syllabus to understand what this course entails of and what I am expecting from my students within the confines of this course.
Reading assignments:
This week, we will talk about the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda that was adopted by the United Nations, and explore what this Agenda entails of and aims for.
Reading assignments:
This week, we will study the definition as well as the nature and characteristics of international law. Following from this, we will explore the link between international law and politics as well as international law and IR.
Reading assignments:
(1) Martin Koskenniemi. "What is International Law For?" in International Law, Malcolm D. Evans (ed.), 4th ed. (Lavis, Oxford University Press), pp. 30-50 (P1; P2; P3;).
(2) Basak Cali (ed.). “Chapter1 - International law for international relations: foundations for interdisciplinary study” in International Law for International Relations, pp. 3-24 (link).
This week, we will explore the sources of international law, to understand how international law comes into being. We will begin with three formal sources, namely international custom, international treaties and general principles of law.
Reading assignments:
(1) Martin Dixon (2013). "The Sources of International Law" in Textbook on International Law, (Oxford: OUP), pp. 24-42 (P1; P2; P3).
This week, we will explore the sources of international law, to understand how international law comes into being. We will continue with subsidiary sources, namely judicial decisions, writings of publicists, resolutions and decisions of international organisations and soft law.
Reading assignments:
(1) Martin Dixon (2013). "The Sources of International Law" in Textbook on International Law, (Oxford: OUP), pp. 42-54 (P1; P2; P3).
This week, we will explore the subjects of international law and focus on states as which are traditionally accepted as the primary subjects of international. We will also talk about recognition of states and governments as well as different sorts of acquisition of territory.
Reading assignments:
(1) Jan Klabbers. "4. The Subjects of International Law". (P1, P2, P3).
This week, we will continue to explore the subjects of international law and focus on international organisations, individuals and other entities.
Reading assignments:
(1) Jan Klabbers. "4. The Subjects of International Law". (P1, P2, P3).
The exact date, time and place will be announced later in the semester.
Reminders:
. Please study for this course on a weekly basis. Make regular revisions and please do not hesitate to ask questions to have a better understanding of the topics that we cover.
. Please follow the announcements regarding the date, time and place of the midterm exam.
. Please be reminded that a make-up exam will not be given unless you have a legally acceptable proof of your excuse.
This week, we will discuss fundamental principles of international law to understand which principles constitute a basis for the conduct of friendly and peaceful international relations.
Reading assignments:
(1) UN Resolution 2625 (XXV) Declaration on Principles of International Law Concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations (link).
We will not have a lecture this week. Starting at 14:40 the make-up exam will be given to the students who have an officially acceptable excuse.
This week, we will focus on methods of dispute settlement and also explore the basics of how the International Court of Justice operates.
Reading assignments:
(1) Anthony Aust. "Settlement of Disputes" in Handbook of International Law (2nd ed.), pp. 430-465 (link).
(2) Advisory Opinion of the ICJ on Kosovo (link; full text).
This week we will talk about enforcement measures and discuss various sanctions that can be applied by states and international organisations.
Reading assignment:
(1) Jan Klabbers. “9. Sanctions, Countermeasures and Collective Security” in International Law (P1; P2; P3).
This week, we will have a question and answer session to prepare you for the final exam. Please come to the class having reviewed the topics we have covered throughout the semester and take note of any questions you would like to ask during the class.
Assignments:
. Revise your course material prior to the final exam and take note of your questions to ask during the class.
In this final week of the semester as there is an official holiday we will not have a lecture. Please use this as an opportunity to study for the final exam.
Reading assignments:
(1) Revise your course material prior to the final exam.
The final exam will take place on 9 January (Tuesday) between 9:00 and 9:50 in classrooms DZ10, DZ12, DZ13. Please check out the class roster in the entrance and make sure that you are in the right classroom. Before starting your exam, read all the instructions carefully. I wish you all success in your final exams.
Important Notice:
. Date, time and place of the final exam will be announced when the information becomes available
. The final exam will comprise of all the topics we have covered throughout the semester.
You may access the video lectures from here.
The list below provides you with the main sources for this course as well as additional resources that you may consult to deepen your knowledge.
Textbooks
. Malcolm D. Evans (ed.), International Law, (4th ed.). Lavis: Oxford University Press.
. Martin Dixon. (2013) Textbook on International Law (7th ed.) Oxford: Oxford University Press.
. Jan Klabbers. (2013) International Law. Cambridge: CambridgeUniversity Press.
. Anthony Aust. (2010) Handbook of International Law. (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
. Rebecca M.M. Wallace, and Olga Martin-Ortega. (2013) International Law. (7th ed.). London: Sweet & Maxwell.
. Antonio Cassese. (2005) International Law. (2nd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
. Malcolm N. Shaw. (2004) International Law. (5th ed.). Cambridge: CambridgeUniversity Press.
Web Sources
. Selected International Law Terms (link)
. International Court of Justice (ICJ)
. International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS)
. European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)
. International Criminal Court (ICC)