International Law

Syllabus

Instructor: Megumi Ochi

Ritsumeikan University

College of International Relations

--- CONTENTS ---
This course functions as a gateway to the legal perspectives on IR.
International law is a legal system mainly created by States to regulate inter-state relations and coordinate international framework to tackle global issues.
It consists mainly of treaties and customary laws binding States but also includes general principles that regulate the creation, interpretation and application of the contents and enforcement of international law.
International law has a general part and specific sub-fields (State border, diplimatic relations, human rights, environment, economy, criminal justice, armed conflict and so on).
In this course, students will learn the basic principles and updated rules applicable to various global issues.

--- STYLE ---
- This course consists of lectures.
- The first half of the course is dedicated to learn the general theories and concepts of international law.
- The second half of the course is to learn specific principles and rules of different fields of international aw.

--- ASSIGNMENT ---
Students are assigned to:
- take 4 types of tests/exams (3 mini tests, 2 medium tests, 1 midterm exam, and 1 final exam) (all in-class or after class).

Mini tests: Answering question(s) on the basic concepts of international law
Medium tests: Finding legal materials and explaining how they can be applied to the given scenario
Mid-term exam: Expanded version of mini test
Final exam: Expended version of medium test

--- FEEDBACK ---
- For questions, the lecturer responds to questions during lectures.
- For tests and exams, explanatory sessions are planned after each one.

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Students will become able to:
- discuss their own views on international issues utilizing the technical terms and concepts of international law; and
- construct legal arguments.

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3 mini tests: 15%
2 medium tests: 20%
1 midterm exam: 30%
1 final exam: 35%

Orientation: Sources of international law

Objective: To become able to discuss why states comply with international law

Reading: Chapter 2 of the textbook

Law as a language in international relations & the law of treaties

Objective: To become able to explain how the promises between States are documented and interpreted

Reading: Chapter 3 of the textbook

*Practice test

The actors in the international legal system & Jurisdiction

Objective: To become able to explain who make and use international law and how states regulate and exercise their authority

Reading: Chapter 4 and 5 of the textbook

*Mini test 1

Immunity from national jurisdiction & State responsibility

Objective: To become able to explain how states communicate and respect each other, and when states are responsible for violation of international law

Reading: Chapter 6 and 7 of the textbook

*Mini test 2

The peaceful settlement of dispute & The international regulations of the use of force

Objective: To become able to explain how international law settles disputes between states and prohibits war as a means to settle international dispute

Reading: Chapter 12 and 13 of the textbook

*Mini test 3

:
Mid-term exam
:

In-class mid-term exam

Mid-term exam feedback

- Explanation of the answers
- Feedback comments

8-10

Sea & Environment & Economics - The case of oil tanker accident

--- 8 Law of the sea ---
Objective: To become able to explain the international legal rules on how to use the sea
Reading: Chapter 8 of the textbook
*Explanation about medium test 1

--- 9 Environmental law ---
Objective: To become able to explain the international legal rules on how to protect environment
Reading: Chapter 10 of the textbook
*Preparing for the medium test 1

--- 10 Economic law ---
Objective: To become able to explain the international legal rules on how to protect environment
Reading: Chapter 10 of the textbook
*Preparing for the medium test 1

11-13

Human Rights & Law of Armed Conflict & Criminal Law - Rights of the detained civilian during war

--- 11 Human rights law ---
Objective: To become able to explain the international legal rules on how to protect individuals
Reading: Chapter 9 of the textbook
*Explanation about medium test 2

--- 12 Law of armed conflict ---
Objective: To become able to explain the international legal rules on how to regulate conducts during war
Reading: Chapter 14 of the textbook
*Preparing for the medium test 2

--- 13 Criminal law ---
Objective: To become able to explain the international legal rules on how to punish international criminals
Reading: Chapter 15 of the textbook
*Submitting answer to the medium test 2

:
Final exam
:

- In-class exam

Feedback

- Explanation of the answers
- Feedback comments

Readings

International Law, fourth editionAnders HenriksenOxford University Press