International Law (D. Car*n)

This course focuses on the central subjects of international law and offers a rigorous foundation for the various advanced courses and seminars offered in international law. There are no prerequisites for the course, nor should students feel that exposure to international relations is needed. The study of international law in other contexts does not bar the taking of this course. The core areas addressed are (1) the various forms of international law, namely custom and treaties, (2) the nature of the state, international organizations and other non-state actors, (3) the allocation of authority over the globe ranging from the exclusive authority possessed by states over their territories to the shared allocation in areas such as Antarctica, (4) the extent of a state's jurisdiction outside of its territory and its immunities from the jurisdiction in the territory of others, (5) the relationship of international law to domestic law in representative countries, and (6) the substantive law of treaties and of 'state responsibility.' These six areas are studied through cases and commentary simultaneously providing an introduction both to the evolution and present array of international courts and tribunals and to the substantive fields of environment, human rights, use of force and laws of war, and trade and investment. Throughout the course, we will discuss the force and relevance of international law, as well as introduce theoretical perspectives that have developed over the past several decades. A take home exam will be given, a short writing assignment during the term will be given.

Exam Notes: TH