Syllabus

Course Overview

We currently live in a world where a web of interdependence is felt at an international scale. In this modern era, international law is no longer exclusively used by diplomats and professionals at international organizations; it has become an essential tool for local administrative officials, business persons, journalists and activists. We, as citizens, also need to understand the fundamentals of international law, since our political decisions and the significant portion of any government’s policies have international implications. This course is, thus, for anyone who wishes to better understand the increasingly complicated world we live in from a legal lens.

Course Objectives

Students in this course will be expected to achieve the following APS Learning Goals:
1. Academic Knowledge and Understanding
1-a. Students have acquired a basic knowledge of the global society with an emphasis on the Asia Pacific region and other related knowledge.
1-b. Students have progressed toward a comprehensive understanding of the area of study (International Relations and Peace Studies)
2. Abilities and Skills
2-a. Students have improved their logical and critical thinking.

This course will be structured around the following specific learning outcomes:
i) Identify and explain the causes of international conflicts and the structure of global issues;
ii) Identify the sources of international law and apply them to concrete situations;
iii) Analyze legal documents and provide interpretations to ambiguous rules;
iv) Explain the consequences of internationally wrongful conducts by States;
v) Explain the functions of major international institutions and mechanisms in promoting the international (global) rule of law.

Teaching Methods

This course is designed to be a lecture style. The lecturer will explain key ideas, legal principles, mechanisms, and cases, based on the textbook.
Many classes will also blend other teaching styles, including discussions and group works. Active participation of students will be encouraged. 

Overview of Each Class

1: Foundations and structure of international law
2: Sources of international law
3: The law of treaties
4: The actors in the international legal system
5: Jurisdiction
6: Immunity from national jurisdiction and diplomatic protection
7: State responsibility
8: The international law of the sea
9: International environmental law
10: International economic law
11: The peaceful settlement of disputes
12: The international regulation of the use of force
13: The law of armed conflict
14: International criminal law 

Pre-class Study Load

Students are expected to read one chapter of the textbook prior to attending each class. Also, students are expected to read relevant treaty texts.
Review assignments will be based on the textbook, relevant treaties and class materials.

Method of Grade Evaluation

Quiz: 20% (Using Respon, students will answer a few quizzes each class. Quiz questions will be based on the textbook)
Review assignments: 40% (Students will submit around 5 short written assignments to review the contents of the class)
Final report: 40%
Some bonus points may be given to voluntary contributions to the class. 

Method of Implementing Multicultural Collaborative Learning

"International law offers a vocabulary for political debate" (Klabbers, 2017). This course will not provide legal answers to specific questions, like state A acted legally or in violation of international law. Rather, this course will train students the ability to make legal argumentation. In order to disassociate their personal feelings from legal thinking, students may be asked to provide legal justifications of the positions that do not necessarily match their moral or cultural perspectives.
Students will be required to actively participate in the classroom through the online tools (respon) and group works. Group works are particularly important for students to practice such skills through a dialogic process.  

Requirements for Students

No recording and photo-taking are allowed. 

Textbook

Anders Henriksen, International Law (Oxford University Press, 2nd edition, 2017).
You are expected to purchase the book through University COOP or other (online) stores.
Malcolm Evans (ed), Blackstone's International Law Documents (Oxford University Press, 14th edition, 2019).
Students can use an older version. Please note that University COOP only offers 13th edition.

Further Reading

Please consult the detailed version of this syllabus.

Misc. Notes

This Syllabus may be subject to updates or modifications. Any changes will be announced in a class and the latest version will be uploaded to manaba.