Course catalogue

This course aims to provide a foundational basis in international law for Masters in International Affairs students. The course covers the structure and the sources of international law, and the operation of international law in selected substantive areas covering international security, human rights, migration, global economy and the climate crisis.

The course has two parts:

Part I surveys the structure, nature and central characteristics of modern international law, the relationship between international law and domestic law, modes of international law making, debates on the hierarchy of norms and norm conflicts in international law, subjects of international law and enforcement mechanisms in international law, covering international courts and tribunals as well as compliance committees.

Part II focuses on selected substantive areas in international law. These include international law on the use of force, international law of armed conflict, international crimes and international criminal law, international economic law, international human rights and refugee law, state responsibility in international law, and international law and climate change.

The course does not assume any prior knowledge of international law or legal training.  

This course is for 1st year MIA students only.