International Law, LW 481, is a three-credit hour elective course offered by the Department of Law. The course is designed for students who wish to learn what role law plays, or can reasonably be expected to play, in the relations of states, and in the protection of persons.
International law is more than a group of vague concepts or general principles.
Indeed, there exists a substantial body of rules, some which have matured through years of state practice, others which are still developing, which govern the rights and obligations of states and international organizations, in peace and war, towards each other and towards persons, be they citizens or foreign nationals. The course will challenge you to think about the sources of international law, the supporting institutions, and the important relationship between international law and national law. We will also look at current international issues and examine the role international law may play in their eventual resolution. First, we will explore the nature and sources of international law and evaluate the application of international law in relations between states. We will study the rules concerning diplomatic relations and treaty law, and look at the structure and role of international judicial bodies, focusing on the International Court of Justice and regional courts.