Public International Law

Course

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/R_Pub.int.l

Course Objective

The course provides students with an overview of the foundations of international law. Students are required to reflect on these foundations, identify their limits and inconsistencies, and see how law and politics interact. Moreover, students will be familiarized with the basic legal regime covering, among other topics, international law-making and application, jurisdiction and immunities, state responsibility, jus ad bellum, and human rights. Through practical exercises, students will also learn how to critically apply these rules.

Course Content

This course provides students with knowledge and understanding of the international legal order and how it operates within contemporary world society. It will discuss key topics of International Law, including
- Nature, sources and subjects of international law
- Law of state responsibility;
- Jurisdiction and immunities;
- Peaceful settlement of disputes;
- Law on the use of force, including collective security, self-defense, and humanitarian intervention;
- Human rights instruments and systems

Teaching Methods

Interactive lectures (3 hours per week), which will combine theory and in-class practical exercises. Participation is highly recommended.

Method of Assessment

Take-home examination (paper)

Literature

Jan Klabbers, International Law, Cambridge University Press, 3rd edition 2020 (required) The syllabus and additional literature will be published on Canvas.

Target Audience

Apart from regular students, the course is also available for:
- Students from other universities/faculties
- Exchange students
- Contractor (students who pay for one course)Courses from a master at the faculty can only be taken as a secondary course if you have a diploma that gives access to the relevant master/ specialization and if you are enrolled in a master.

Additional Information

OBJECTIVES Degree programme objectives Law and Politics of International Security Final Attainment Levels The student graduating with a Master’s degree will have the following knowledge and understanding: -International conflict and security law, including jus ad bellum, jus in bello and jus post bellum; -The difficulties involved in the application of ‘traditional’ legal and political science concepts to contemporary armed conflicts. Being capable of: -The student graduating with a Master’s degree will have a capability to: -Identify and apply theoretical approaches from international law and political science; -Identify the differences and overlaps between the various methodologies used in law and political science; -Independently set up a legal and political arguments in the area of international conflict and security law; -Independently apply research methods and interpret results; Show evidence of:
- The student graduating with a Master’s degree will have a critical, creative and innovative attitude with regard to: -The way in which problems in the area of international conflict and security are framed in academic, legal and policy debates; -The existing legal framework in the field of international conflict and security; -Existing policy solutions in the field of international conflict and security;
Academic year1/09/2431/08/25
Course level6.00 EC

Language of Tuition

  • English

Study type

  • Master