Course Details
Course Description and Learning Outcomes
Welcome to International Law II. This course builds on the foundations of public international law by examining specialised substantive areas and their application in contemporary international relations. Through doctrinal study, case analysis, and discussion of real-world disputes, the course explores how international legal rules operate in practice and how they shape state behaviour and global governance. Particular emphasis is placed on the interpretation and application of legal principles in areas such as state responsibility, the law of the sea, international criminal law, and the use of force By the end of the course, the students are expected to:
Course Requirements
Students are assigned weekly readings and are expected to come to class prepared to engage actively in discussion and analytical exercises. The reading list may be updated during the semester; students are responsible for checking the syllabus regularly and completing the assigned materials in advance of each class.
Regular attendance and punctuality are essential. Attendance is recorded each hour, and students must meet the university requirement of at least 70% attendance to successfully complete the course. Students arriving late will be admitted only during the break to avoid disruption.
Short quizzes are administered periodically to support continuous learning and ensure regular revision of course material. These may be scheduled quizzes or unannounced quizzes. Students should consult the syllabus for confirmed quiz dates.
The final course grade is based on the following components:
Class Hours
We will meet on Monday at 08:40 in classroom C-K1-10. Please be on time. Those who are late will have to wait for the break to enter the classroom.
Video Lectures
Video lectures will be made available when necessary. You shall come to the lectures and do your reading assignments regulary.
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 to follow the announcements via the HADI platform. Interactive exercises may also be given upon prior notice.
This introductory session familiarises students with the scope, structure, and expectations of International Law II. We review the course objectives, assessment methods, and thematic progression of the semester. Students also reflect on how this course builds on prior knowledge of public international law and prepares them to analyse specialised legal issues and cases.
Reading assignments:
This week examines how international law interacts with domestic legal systems. We explore theories of monism and dualism, the role of national courts in applying international law, and challenges arising when domestic and international norms conflict. By the end of the session, students should be able to explain how international law operates within domestic legal orders.
Reading assignment:
(1) Jan Klabbers. "16. Domestic Courts and their relationship with international law" in International Law (P1; P2; P3).
We begin the study of state responsibility by analysing when and how internationally wrongful acts are attributed to states. Key concepts such as attribution, breach, and circumstances precluding wrongfulness are introduced. Students develop the ability to identify the elements of state responsibility in legal texts and cases.
Reading assignments:
(1) Jan Klabbers. "7 The Law of Responsibility" (P1, P2, P3).
(2) 2001 Draft articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts, with commentaries (see pp. 64-86 for further information on responsibility of a state in connection with the act of another state, and circumstances precluding wrongfulness) (full text).
Building on the previous week, we examine the consequences of internationally wrongful acts and the forms of reparation available under international law. Students apply doctrinal rules to examples and deepen their understanding of how responsibility is argued and established in practice.
Reading assignments:
(1) Jan Klabbers. "7 The Law of Responsibility" (P1, P2, P3).
(2) 2001 Draft articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts, with commentaries (see pp. 64-86 for further information on responsibility of a state in connection with the act of another state, and circumstances precluding wrongfulness) (full text).
This session applies the law of state responsibility through case studies and an in-class simulation. Students will assume roles, analyse facts, and argue legal positions, consolidating their understanding of attribution, breach, and remedies. The aim is to develop practical reasoning and advocacy skills in international legal disputes.
Reading assignments:
(1) TBA.
(2) TBA.
(3 Sample Case) Palmer Report of the Mavi Marmara Incident. (link).
We introduce the international law of the sea and the legal regimes governing maritime zones, including territorial seas, exclusive economic zones, and the high seas. Students learn how sovereignty and jurisdiction operate at sea and why maritime delimitation is politically and legally significant.
Reading assignments:
(1) Anthony Aust. "The Law of the Sea" in Handbook of International Law. (2nd ed.). Cambridge: CambridgeUniversity Press, 2010, pp. 298-326 (link).
Continuing the topic, we analyse continental shelf and maritime boundary disputes, with particular focus on the Aegean Sea continental shelf case. Students will examine how legal principles are applied in interstate disputes and evaluate competing claims in a regional context relevant to Türkiye.
Reading assignments:
(1) Anthony Aust. "The Law of the Sea" in Handbook of International Law. (2nd ed.). Cambridge: CambridgeUniversity Press, 2010, pp. 298-326 (link).
(2) Aegean Sea Continental Shelf (Greece v. Turkey), Summary of the Judgment of 19 December 1978 (link).
Due to the midterm exam, we will not have a class this week. The details of the midterm exam will be announced later on.
This week introduces the foundations of international criminal law, including individual criminal responsibility for international crimes. We examine the establishment, jurisdiction, and functioning of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Students will understand how international criminal justice differs from state responsibility.
Reading assignments:
(1) Ilias Bantekas and Susan Nash. "Chapter 1 - Theory of International Criminal Law", in International Criminal Law, (2nd ed.). London: Cavendish Publishing, pp. 1-16 (link).
(2) Ilias Bantekas and Susan Nash. "Chapter 14 - The Permanent International Criminal Court", in International Criminal Law, (2nd ed.). London: Cavendish Publishing, pp. 375-95 (link).
This session examines international criminal tribunals such as the ICTY and ICTR, focusing on how they addressed crimes committed in Bosnia and Rwanda. We analyse their jurisdiction, institutional design, and jurisprudential contributions to international criminal law. Students compare these tribunals with the ICC and evaluate their role in advancing accountability for mass atrocities.
Reading assignments:
(1) TBA.
(2) TBA.
This week explores the prohibition of the threat or use of force under the UN Charter and its recognised exceptions, including self-defence and Security Council authorisation. Through legal texts and selected cases, students learn to assess the legality of military action and understand how international law seeks to regulate interstate violence
Reading assignments:
(1) Jan Klabbers. "Use of Force" (link).
(2) UN General Assembly Resolution 3314 (XXIX) on Definition of Aggression, 14 December 1974 (full texts: printable version; original document).
Building on the legal framework studied previously, this session applies the law on the use of force to concrete cases and scenarios. Students analyse facts, identify legal arguments, and evaluate competing interpretations of legality. The aim is to strengthen problem-solving skills and the practical application of doctrine to international disputes.
Reading assignments:
(1) Military and Paramilitary Activities in and against Nicaragua (Nicaragua v. United States of America), Case Judgment Summaries 1984/5, 1986/2 (link)
(2) TBA
(3) TBA.
This week connects the regulation of force with the collective protection of human rights. We examine concepts such as humanitarian intervention and the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), assessing their legal basis and political implications. Students evaluate debates on when, and under what conditions, force may be used for human protection purposes.
Reading assignments:
(1) Pınar Gözen Ercan. (2020) "Chapter 4. Collective Protection of Human Rights and World Politics" in Human Rights, Harun Tepe and Duru Şahyar Akdemir (eds.). Eskişehir: Anadolu University Publications (link).
(2) UN General Assembly (2005) The Responsibility to Protect, World Summit Outcome Document, Paragraphs 138-139.
In this concluding session, we synthesise the main themes of the course and reflect on the relationship between international law and international politics. Students revisit key concepts and cases from the semester and discuss how legal norms both shape and are shaped by political realities in international affairs.
Reading assignments:
(1) Rebecca M.M. Wallace. “Conclusion” in International Law, (7th ed.), pp. 363-368 (link).
The date, time, place and details of the final exam will be announced when available.
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)