Prospectus

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Public International Law (master)

Course
2023-2024

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, jurisdiction and immunities, State responsibility and the use of force. 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. The course 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 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

Check MyTimetable.

Mode of instruction

Lectures

  • Lectures (2 hours) will be provided on a weekly basis throughout the course

  • Names of lecturers: dr. Mamadou Hébié and prof. Daniëlla Dam-de Jong

  • Required preparation by students: reading of materials as prescribed in the outline that can be found on Brightspace.

Colloquium

  • Number (2 hour): 8 (in principle 1 per week)

  • Names of instructors: dr. Mamadou Hébié and prof. 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 (70%)

  • One mandatory written assignment (30%)

The written assignment has the status of a so-called practical assignment and cannot be retaken. A non-passing grade for the written assignment can be compensated with a passing grade for the written exam. The course is completed if the overall grade is a 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 to 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). 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:

  • Malcolm Evans, International Law, OUP, 6th ed., 2024

  • Blackstone’s, International Law Documents, 15th ed., OUP, 2021.

Course information guide:
Outline as posted on Brightspace.

Recommended course materials
To be announced on Brightspace.

Registration

Registration for courses and exams takes place via MyStudymap. If you do not have access to MyStudymap (guest students), look here (under the Law-tab) for more information on the registration procedure in your situation.  

Contact

  • Coordinator: dr. M. Hébié

  • E-mail: [m.hebie@law.leidenuniv.nl]

Institution/division

  • Institute: Public Law

  • Division: Public International Law

  • Room number secretariat: KOG, room B1.11

  • Telephone number secretariat: 071-5277713/7723

  • E-mail: volkenrecht@law.leidenuniv.nl

Remarks