International Law

This is a general survey course in public international law. It is designed to introduce students to the basic concepts of the international legal system, including its fundamental principles and its main institutional structures and actors. Among other topics, we will study the traditional sources of international law (treaties and custom), the subjects of international law (states, international organizations, and individuals), dispute settlement mechanisms, and universal jurisdiction. Against that foundation, we will study several substantive areas of international law, including the use of force, human rights, international law enforcement, and arms control. We also will consider how the international legal system is changing in light of globalization and the emerging post-9/11 world order. There will be some emphasis on how states (particularly the United States) incorporate international law into their domestic legal systems.