COURSE DESCRIPTION
Public international law introduces students to the international legal system, its development over time and its current status. This course encourages students to examine the legal basis of international law, sources of international law and the relationship between international law and municipal law and the general regulation of relationships between states. In addition, students are encouraging to constantly analyse critically international incidents. Thus the first part of the course covers the history and nature of international law and the issue of subjects of international law. Also in the first part, students cover sources of international law.
The second part concentrates in the relationship between national and international law and exams issues of sovereignty, domestic jurisdiction, statehood and territory. Of importance to students of public international law are analysis of international organisations and the crucial issue of conflict, wars and resolution of such conflicts/wars. Students will also cover issues pertaining to the law of the sea and space as well as international criminal law.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Acquire grounding in basic concepts and general principles of public
international law;
- Be aware of the role of international law in the international
community; and
- Develop student’s critical analysis; and
- Enhance students’ skills in identifying difficulties and benefits
arising out of international legal system.
- Be able to critically analyze and evaluate international law and
policy;
- Enhance research, drafting and presentation skills on a specific area on international law.
COURSE CONTENTS
- The history
and nature of international law and the issue of subjects of international law.
- Sources of
international law.
- The relationship
between national and international law and exams issues of sovereignty,.
- Domestic
jurisdiction
- Statehood and
territory.
- Importance to
students of public international law are analysis of international
organisations and the crucial issue of conflict, wars and resolution of such
conflicts/wars
- The law of the sea
and space as well as international criminal law
COMPULSORY READING MATERIALS
- Barker, (2000). International Law
and International Relations: Ashgate
- Brownlie, (1998). Principles of
Public International Law (Oxford University Press)
- Gray, (2000). International Law and the Use of Force. Oxford University Press
- Higgins, (1994). Problems and
Process: International Law and How We Use it (Oxford University Press)
OPTIONAL READING MATERIALS
- Lowe,
(1999) International Law (Oxford
University Press)
- Malanczuk, (1997) Akehurt’s
Introduction in International Law (Routledge)
- Sands & Klein, (2001) Bowett’s
The Law of International Institutions (Sweet & Maxwell)
- Shaw, (1997) International Law
(Cambridge University Press)