Admission requirements
Admission to the Masters programme.
Description
In this course the core concepts of public international law will be discussed in considerable depth. The course will cover the traditional curriculum of public international law, including subjects, sources, responsibility and the use of force as well as various of the sub-areas of international law including human rights law, environmental law and international humanitarian law. The course will build on the introductions to public international law as offered in most BA-programmes in law. It will be presupposed that all students have such a basic knowledge. It will particularly focus on recent state practice and judicial decisions.
Course objectives
Objectives of the course
The main purpose of the course is to provide students with a thorough knowledge of public international law as a necessary basis for further study and career in this field. In addition, research and writing skills are trained through written assignments.
Achievement levels
The following achievement levels apply with regard to the course:
Knowledge:
After successfully completing this course, students have a thorough knowledge of and insight into the existing legal framework its fundaments and the system of public international law. The students have a profound knowledge of the specific rules and regulations that were studied during the course and of the interrelationship between those rules. They understand how international law can operate as a system. Moreover, the students are well aware of the political and social context in which these rules are applied.
Academic skills and attitude:
After successfully completing this course, students are able to interpret and analyse the relevant literature and sources critically and to present solutions for legal problems after thorough legal research. Students are also trained to present these solutions both orally and in writing in a structured way. Students are able to present their own opinion on relevant legal matters on the basis of sound and convincing legal arguments and to defend this opinion in a legal debate.
Timetable
The timetable of this course can be found in uSis.
Mode of instruction
Lectures
Online webinars will be provided on a weekly basis throughout the course
Names of lecturers: dr. Robert Heinsch, dr. Daniëlla Dam-de Jong and prof. William Schabas
Required preparation by students: reading of materials as prescribed in the outline that can be found on Brightspace as well
Colloquium
Number (2 hour): 8 (in principle 1 per week)
Names of instructors: dr. Robert Heinsch, dr. Daniëlla Dam-de Jong
Required preparation by students: reading the materials, preparing answers to the questions and issues raised on Brightspace and preparation of assignments.
Assessment method
Examination form(s)
Written exam (60%)
One written assignment (40%) - this has the status of a so-called practical assignment
Only the written exam can be retaken when the overall grade is a non-passing grade.
Areas to be tested within the exam
The examination syllabus consists of the required reading (literature) for the course, the course information guide and the subjects taught in the lectures, the seminars and all other instructions which are part of the course.
Submission procedures
The written assignments have te be submitted in Brightspace.
Regulation retake passed exams
In this course it is possible to retake an exam that has been passed (cf. art. 4.1.8.1 and further of the Course and Examination Regulations), on the condition that this course is included in the compulsory components of the degree program. Students who have passed the exam may retake the final written assessment (test) of the course if they meet certain requirements. To retake a passed exam, students need to ask the Student Administration Office (OIC) for permission. For more information, go to 'course and exam enrollment' > 'permission for retaking a passed exam' on the student website.
Reading list
Obligatory course materials
Literature:
Gleider Hernández, International Law, OUP, 2019
Blackstone’s, International Law Documents, 14th ed., OUP, 2019.
Course information guide:
Outline as posted on Brightspace.
Recommended course materials
To be announced on Brightspace.
Registration
- It is not necessary to register in uSis for this lectures of this course, but you do need to register for the colloquia. By registering for the colloquia in uSis, you are automatically enrolled for the Brightspace environment of this course.
Contact information
Coordinator: dr. R.W. Heinsch
Work address: KOG, room C1.15
Contact information: via e-mail
E-mail: r.w.heinsch@law.leidenuniv.nl
Institution/division
Institute: Public Law
Division: Public International Law
Room number secretariat: KOG, room B1.11
Opening hours: 9.00 – 17.00 hrs
Telephone number secretariat: 071-5277578
E-mail: volkenrecht@law.leidenuniv.nl