Overview
This course examines the foundations, institutions, sources, and operation of public international law. Topics include treaties, customary international law, general principles, state sovereignty, jurisdiction, state responsibility, diplomatic and consular relations, international organizations, and the United Nations system.
The course considers international human rights law, international humanitarian law, the use of force, the law of the sea, international environmental law, international trade and investment principles, and international criminal accountability. It addresses treaty interpretation, reservations, immunities, recognition of states and governments, the relationship between international and domestic legal systems, and the challenges of compliance and enforcement.
Students engage critically with international judgments, treaty provisions, resolutions, reports, and contemporary disputes. Simulations, including treaty negotiations and moot court or United Nations-style exercises, develop the ability to construct persuasive arguments from multiple sources and analyse complex cross-border legal problems.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify and apply relevant rules and principles of public international law to complex cross-border disputes.
- Interpret treaty provisions, reservations, judicial decisions, resolutions, and other authoritative international legal materials.
- Evaluate the legality of state conduct concerning jurisdiction, immunity, the use of force, state responsibility, and international obligations.
- Analyse the relationship between international and domestic legal systems, including mechanisms of implementation, compliance, and enforcement.
- Construct coherent legal arguments using multiple sources of international law and addressing competing interpretations.
- Assess the institutional capacities and limitations of international organizations, courts, tribunals, and accountability mechanisms.
- Synthesize legal authorities and factual materials into clear, well-supported written analyses and oral submissions.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
| Workshop | 2 hours | Fortnightly | Second term |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Research memorandum on a contemporary international law problem | 20.00% |
| Deliverable | Treaty negotiation simulation | 15.00% |
| Capstone | Moot court or United Nations-style dispute exercise | 20.00% |
| Quiz | In-class quizzes (4 × 5%) | 20.00% |
| Exam | Final examination | 25.00% |
Prerequisites
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.
