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Politics of International Law (343-0-20)

Instructors

Karen Alter-Hanson
847/491-4842
Scott Hall #318

Meeting Info

University Hall 122: Mon, Wed 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

At its core, international law is an idea about how to use the tools of law and legal systems to facilitate peaceful and mutually beneficial relations in the world. This course explores how the international legal system works from a legal and political perspective, shaping international relations today. The course introduces some aspects of the method and substance of international law, such as concepts like sovereign immunity, jus cogens, customary international law, general principles of international law, principles of jurisdiction etc. This is not a law course; we cover legal subjects to understand how politics and law interact in shaping international relations today. Substantively, the course examines international laws related to the oceans, the environment, human rights, trade and war. We read treaties, and use case studies to see how international law is made, why national governments and national courts at times contest international law, and why international law can be difficult to enforce. We explore the legal and political issues surrounding contemporary flashpoints in international relations: China's claims to the South China Seas, how civil conflict is fueling the poaching of elephants, the United States Supreme Court's ambivalence regarding international law, how international law regarding torture is and is not politically relevant.

Registration Requirements

Attendance at first class required

Learning Objectives


  • Become proficient in understanding core features of law such as sources of law, jurisdiction, and remedies. Also learn core features of international law, such as treaties, customary international law, ratification, reservations, limited sovereign immunity etc.

  • Gain experience reading legal texts and legal rulings, learning that one must look beyond the words to understand what the law means in practice.

  • Learn the idea of international "law as a process" that unfolds in law's making, application, and interpretation. Learn how the content and meaning of international law evolves in conjunction with the larger international context.

  • Become comfortable with ambiguity. Legal practice is as much art as it is science. Like all law, international law is contested, evolving, meaningful and constraining. The system does not fit together as a coherent whole, and it rarely resolves like an episode of Law and Order.

Teaching Method

Lectures, discussions, simulations (model UN style)

Evaluation Method

Online quizzes; The assigned paper & take home final may be converted to deal with AI.

Class Materials (Required)

Nicole Scicluna. The Politics of International Law, OUP, 2021, ISBN: 9780198791201
Case studies to purchase online

Class Attributes

Social and Behavioral Science Foundational Discipl
Global Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area

Associated Classes

DIS - Annenberg Hall G01: Wed 1:00PM - 1:50PM

DIS - Locy Hall 106: Thurs 11:00AM - 11:50AM