Course title

International Law for Sustainable Development

Responsible person
HIRANO Miharu
to enter grades
Numbering Code

Day・Period, etc. Thurs2(対面)

開講区分

単位数

2nd semester

2.0

Timetable Slot
Code3J399

Lesson topic
In an era marked by immense global challenges, the concept of sustainable development has been frequently cited as
a vision for transforming our world. It has been over 30 years since the term was coined at international fora.
However, despite intensive discussions, both theoretical and practical ambiguities surrounding sustainable
development persist. Despite remaining skepticism, the concept has continued to guide international law in evolving
into an effective problem-solving tool.
This course will explore the role of international law in promoting sustainable development. In this course,students will unpack the concept of sustainable development, study its functions in law-making and law-applying
processes, and analyze how international legal instruments intersect with and contribute to the achievement of theSustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while clarifying the limitations and challenges that underpin theinterrelationship between international law and sustainable development.

Lesson targetThis course will be structured around the following specific learning outcomes:i) Students can identify the value clashes and global issues using the concept of sustainable development;ii) Students can explain the legal significance and limitations of the concept of sustainable development;iii) Students can retrieve legal documents and analyze their contents;iv) Students can explain how international law and its institutions promote sustainable development.

Syllabus and planThis course will be conducted in a seminar style. Based on the reading materials, students will share theiropinions and analyses. The instructor will explain the contents of the reading materials while also raisingquestions for discussions. Students will also be expected to make presentations.
INTRODUCTIONClass 1 - Introduction
Class 2 - Basic structure of international law
THE CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTClass 3~6 - Conceptions of sustainable development - Discussions of selected papers
FUNCTIONS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN TEATIES AND JURISPRUDENCEClass 7 - Sustainable development in treaties
Class 8~9 - Sustainable development in jurisprudence
OPERATIONALIZING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE SDGSClass 10 - The Sustainable Development Goals: An overview
Class 11~14 - Student presentations on one of the Goals
CONCLUSIONClass 15 - Review of the course
Note: This syllabus is a general guideline and can be adjusted based on the specific needs of the students andimportant events that may take place during the course.

Evaluation method- Engagement in the class discussion – 40%- Reaction papers – 30%- Presentation – 10%- Final report – 20%

Evaluation baseline- Engagement in the class discussion: Degree of internalizing knowledge and critical thinking. Students need not beafraid to lose points for providing wrong answers.
- Reaction papers: Whether students have sufficiently engaged with the reading materials prior to each class and toenhance active in-depth discussions.
- Presentation & Final report: The level of achievement of the learning objectives of this course.

Notice (include info. on related class)Students are expected to be familiar with the basic concepts of international law, such as state sovereignty.
This course is open to students not enrolled in KIMAP (Kobe LL.M.), including exchange students and special
auditing students.
Please bring your PC, which will be needed to read other students' reaction papers and to conduct internet-based
research on legal materials.

Review and preparation
Students are expected to read the assigned reading materials prior to attending each class and be prepared fordiscussions. Reaction papers must be submitted 24 hours before the class. After each class, review the discussionsof each class and practice legal research skills.
Kobe University requires 45 hours of study from students to award one credit, including both in-class instructions
as well as study outside classes. Students are required to prepare for each class and complete the review after
each class, depending on the respective class goals.

Office hour・Contact information
Office hour: 4th period on Tuesdays (15:10-16:40)
Details will be indicated during the first class and through the course page.

Message for student
Issues related to sustainable development is felt on a global scale. In this modern era, international law is nolonger 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 tounderstand the fundamentals of international law, since our political decisions and a 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.

Improvemenets in Teaching

Text
Reading materials will be provided through the course page which will be made available through BEEF+.

Reference Material
Duncan French and Louis J. Kotzé (eds.), Sustainable Development Goals: Law, Theory and Implementation (2018).
Jonas Ebbesson and Ellen Hey (eds.), The Cambridge Handbook of the Sustainable Development Goals and International
Law (Cambridge University Press, 2022).
Ilias Bantekas, Francesco Seatzu and Katerina Akestoridi (eds.), The UN Sustainable Development Goals: A Commentary(Oxford University Press, 2023).
Sustainable Development Goals: Law, Theory and Implementation / Duncan French and Louis J. Kotzé : Edward Elgar,2018 ,ISBN:9781786438768
The Cambridge Handbook of the Sustainable Development Goals and International Law / Jonas Ebbesson and Ellen Hey :Cambridge University Press ,2022 ,ISBN:9781108769631The UN Sustainable Development Goals: A Commentary / Ilias Bantekas, Francesco Seatzu : Oxford University Press,2023 ,ISBN:9780192885906
Classroom Language
EnglishKeywords
international law, Sustainable development, SDGs, exchange student(special auditing student), term report, laptop