Public International Law, 2008-2009 - Prospectus

Objectives of the course

The main purpose of the course is to provide the student with a thorough knowledge of public international law as a necessary basis for a further career in this field. In addition, research and writing skills are trained through writing three different essays.

Short description of the course

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 sanctions as well as various of the sub-areas of international law. Contemporary issues such as the use of force, terrorism and respect for human rights and protection of the environment will also be examined. The course will build on the introductions to public international law as offered in most BA-programmes in law and it assumes that all students have such basic knowledge. It will examine the concepts in greater depth, and will in particular focus on recent state practice and judicial decisions.

Achievement levels

The following achievement levels apply with regard to the course:
Knowledge:
After successfully completing this course, the student has a thorough knowledge of and insight into the existing legal framework, the fundaments and the system of public international law. The student has a profound knowledge of the specific rules and regulations that were studied during the course and of the interrelationship between those rules. He understands how international law can operate as a system. Moreover, the student is well aware of the political and social context in which these rules are applied.

Academic skills and attitude:
After successfully completing this course, the student is able to interpret and analyse the relevant literature and sources critically and to present solutions for legal problems after thorough legal research. The student is also trained to present these solutions both orally and in writing in a structured way. The student is able to present his own opinion on relevant legal matters on the basis of sound and convincing legal arguments and to defend this opinion in a legal debate.

Coördinator

Name: Dr. J. d’Aspremont
Work address: KOG, Office B1.26
Contact information: Every day
Telephone number: 071-527 7581
E-mail: J.daspremont@law.leidenuniv.nl

Departement/division

Departement: Public Law
Division: Public International Law
Room number secretariat: KOG, Office B1.21
Opening hours: 9.00 – 16.00 hrs
Telephone number secretariat: 071-5277578
E-mail: e.h.uiterweerd@law.leidenuniv.nl

Onderwijsvormen

Lectures

Number of (2 hour) lectures: 10 (1 per week)
Names of lecturers: Dr. J. d’Aspremont, Prof. Dr. N.J. Schrijver and others
Required preparation by students: Reading of materials as prescribed in the outline that is included in the reader and can be found on Blackboard as well.

Seminars

Number of (2 hour) seminars: 10 (1 per week)
Names of instructors: Dr. J. d’Aspremont, A. Vermeer and others
Required preparation by students: Reading the materials, preparing answers to the questions and issues raised in the reader and on blackboard and a total of three written assignments.

Studiemateriaal

Obligatory course materials
Literature (to be determined):

M.N. Shaw, International Law, 5th ed. 2003, Cambridge University Press
Blackstone’s, International Law Documents, 7th ed., Oxford University Press, 2005.

Course information guide:

Outline as included in the Reader Public International Law 2007/2008 and posted on Blackboard

Reader:

Reader Public International Law 2007/2008

Recommended course materials

To be announced on Blackboard

Toetsing

Examination form(s)

Exam (50%)
Three papers (50%)

Submission procedures
The written assignments will be handed in at the start of the respective seminars to which they relate. Students will have to hand them in both electronically and in hard copy.

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.

Public International Law