Introductory description

This module will cover the main principles, norms and institutions of international law with an emphasis on the political, economic, social, and cultural context in which they operate.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The syllabus is roughly divided into two parts, with the first part covering the foundational principles, institutions and
rationale of international law, and the second part covering specialised sub-disciplines. While specific topics may
change year to year, an indicative syllabus of topics includes:

1. The Nature and History of International Law
2. Sources of International Law
3. The Law of Treaties
4. Subjects of International Law
5. Self-determination
6. The Law of Responsibility
7. Jurisdiction & Immunities
8. The International Protection of Human Rights
9. Domestic and International Law
10. Sanctions, Countermeasures, and Collective Security
11. Ius ad bellum (Use of force)
12. Ius in bello (International Humanitarian Law)
13. International Criminal Law
14. International Economic Law
15. Piracy in International Law
16. International Environmental Law
17. Feminist Approaches to International Law
18. Marxist and Third World Approaches to International Law

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• To provide students with an understanding of the general principles of International Law and the relation of International Law to social, political, cultural, economic and historical factors
• To equip students with an understanding of the methodology of International Law, and the processes of legal argument and analysis
• To think critically and objectively about the impact of International Law in constructing the realitiesof their lives and their surroundings
• Understand the nature of international society, the basic concepts and structure of International Law and be able to use a wide variety of materials (legal and other) to inform their analysis
• Understand the historical, social, political and economic contexts in which international law exists and develops, and the impact of these developments on populations around the world
• Analyse, evaluate and form critical judgements on cases, treaties and other legal texts
• Apply international law to hypothetical cases involving international legal issues
• Work independently to gain understanding of materials/issues in International Law without explanatorynotes/lectures
• Understand the language of international law, be able to speak and write about international law with accurateuse of specific terms

Indicative reading list

Malcolm Evans, International Law (OUP) James Crawford and Martti Koskenniemi (eds), The Cambridge Companion
to International Law (CUP) Antony Angie, Imperialism, Sovereignty and the Making of International Law (CUP)

View reading list on Talis Aspire

International

The module explores cross-border issues (conflict, climate change, trade) and their relationship to law.

Subject specific skills

The module will assist students in acquiring critical analysis skills that take the international legal sphere into account. This includes an understanding of how international law and legal institutions are constituted, and who the laws and institutions benefit. A specific skill that is supported is to understand international law and its institutions in their political context, in particular in the context of a neoliberal order and how this was historically constituted.

Transferable skills

A critical analysis that shifts from the local to the global is a key transferable skill. Understanding law as constituted by the particular historical juncture is a key means of expanding the understanding of social justice and injustice.