International Public Law [2611]

General Information

• Credits: 6 ECTS
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's or Licence level (or equivalent); proficiency in French
• Learning format: asynchronous distance learning – 100% e-learning
• Language of instruction: French
• Course access: available at any time of year
• Disability liaison officer: Cécile Boucherle 

Course Overview

This course provides an introduction to public international law, its historical development, legal foundations and role in an increasingly globalised international system. It examines the main concepts, principles and sources of international law, including treaties, customary law, general principles of law and judicial decisions. The course also analyses the subjects of international law, with particular emphasis on States, sovereignty, recognition, rights and duties, while considering the growing role of individuals and international organisations. Finally, it addresses contemporary areas of international law, including international criminal law and international humanitarian law, and examines the institutions responsible for enforcing international legal rules.

Learning Outcomes

This course enables you to:

• understand the nature and scope of philosophy ;
• understand some of the philosophical skills and explain the importance of philosophy as a branch of knowledge ;
• understand the origins of philosophy and some of the philosophical positions held by ancient Greek thinkers ;
• have a better sense of the differences between philosophical questions and other kinds of questions or arguments ;
• understand different branches of philosophy and some of the major issues concerned in such branches ;
• understand and be able to express several philosophical issues taking a position in the debates over the issues mentioned in this course.  

Course Competencies

This course is linked to the following competency:

• Draw upon the sources and instruments of international law to characterise a situation in legal terms.

Course Outline

Section 1: Course description and definition of International Public Law

Section 2: Sources of International Law

Section 3: The State as a Subject of International Law

Section 4: Some topical issues in International Public Law

Assessment Methods 

Course assessment is based on:

• tracking and completion of the course and of all learning activities. These activities, designed as essential practice and learning exercises, may be completed multiple times and are not factored into the final grade,the final assessment quiz, which constitutes the graded evaluation.

Learning Format

The course is taught entirely online via the MyDomuni platform, accessible 24/7.
Learning resources include:

• written course materials;
• supplementary documents and, depending on the content, video resources;
• interactive learning activities (quizzes, exercises);
• a discussion forum with the course instructor and fellow participants.

Prerequisites

This course is open to anyone holding a Bachelor's degree or Licence (or an equivalent qualification) in law, the humanities, social sciences, theology, or a related field connected to human rights, or with significant personal or academic experience related to the topics covered.

A good command of written French is recommended to facilitate understanding of the content and participation in the activities offered.

Accessibility

The course is accessible at any time, from any internet-connected device, via the MyDomuni platform.
For students with disabilities, specific support can be arranged upon request to ensure equitable access to course content and activities.

Disability liaison officer: cecile.boucherle@domuni.eu.

Selective Bibliography

Joseph Gabriel Starke, An Introduction to International Law, London, Butterworths, 1977.
Herbert Lionel Adolphus Hart, The Concept of Law, London, Oxford University Press, 1961.
Malcolm Nathan Shaw, International Law, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2008.
Thomas Markus Funk, Victims’ Rights and Advocacy at the International Criminal Court, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2010.
Gary D. Solis, The Law of Armed Conflict: International Humanitarian Law in War, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2010.