Public International Law and Domestic Implementation
Instructors
Barnsley Ingrid
Term / Language / Credits
A1A2 / English / 2
Objectives
This course aims to provide students (with no legal background) with an overview of the politics, rules and institutions of public international law, and its implementation in practice. After a general introduction to the history and contours of international law, students will explore several in-depth case studies of ‘real world’ issues, the international laws and institutions developed to address them, and the operation of those regimes in practice. In exploring these case studies, particular emphasis will be placed on the practical implementation of international laws, of comparing differing approaches to such implementation, and of the comparative successes and limitations of the international legal response to such fundamental issues of global concern such as the use of force, regulation of the seas, climate change, trade and human rights.
Keywords
Public international law, state sovereignty, domestic implementation, international negotiation
Schedule
Day 1 (28 November)
- Introduction to public international law (1)
- Introduction to public international law (2)
- International law and national law
- Case Study 1: The use of force (1)
- Case Study 1: The use of force (2)
Day 2 (29 November)
- Case Study 2: The law of the sea (1)
- Case Study 2: The law of the sea (2)
- Case Study 3: Human Rights (1)
- Case Study 3: Human rights (2)
- Case Study 4: International trade (1)
Day 3 (5 December)
- Case Study 4: International trade (2)
- Case Study 5: Climate Change and Environmental Protection (1)
- Case Study 5: Climate Change and Environmental Protection (2)
- Class negotiation exercise
- Class negotiation exercise
Teaching Methods
Lecture, discussion, simulated class negotiation exercise
Grading
Grading will be based on class participation (25%), group presentations in a class negotiation exercise (25%), and a final paper (50%).
Required Textbook
M Dixon,Textbook on International Law (7th edn, 2013, Oxford University Press)
Reference Books
Additional materials will be provided to registered students to download themselves.
Notes on Taking the Course
This course, and the assessment, will be conducted in English. It is not necessary to have undertaken previous studies in law to take the course. - the course has been designed with non-law students in mind.