First-Year Seminar (101-6-20)

Topic

Whales, Bombs, Genocide

Instructors

Ian F Hurd
Scott, #306

Meeting Info

University Hall 318: Tues, Thurs 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

From whales to nuclear weapons to genocide much of what people and governments do is shaped by international law. The legal commitments that governments make with each other become the context and the language for political struggle. This seminar examines the key concepts and practices of international law and looks for their connections with politics. The class crosses between political science and legal scholarship and draws cases, readings, and debates from both. The seminar also invests in cultivating research skills and critical thinking. Over a progression of assignments, it develops a research project that results in a paper on politics and international law. We also address citation style, avoiding plagiarism, research strategies, and paper structure.

Evaluation Method

Class participation and writing assignments

Class Materials (Required)

Shirley Scott, International Law in World Politics, 2017, 3rd edition. ISBN: 978-1626376045

Class Attributes

WCAS First-Year Seminar

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Reserved for First Year & Sophomore only