LAW6032 Public International Law

The aim of this module is to provide students with a solid understanding of the fundamental principles of public international law as well as its core structures. In this light, the module considers a number of key inter-related questions. What is international law and why does it matter in today’s world? To whom are international obligations addressed? Which subjects hold rights in international law? What are the sources, techniques, and methods of law creation and enforcement in the international legal order? The module is designed to allow students to think critically about the history, structure and politics of the international legal order and its relevance to contemporary problems, such as the self-determination of peoples, environmental protection, claims to statehood of secessionist groups, state immunity, responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity, the legal framework regulating the exploitation of ocean or space resources, the institutions and methods for the peaceful settlement of disputes, the role of corporations in international law, the law of international organisations etc. The module emphasises the inter-play between law and politics and is designed to appeal to law students as well as those taking modules in politics and international relations. The course connects doctrinal and theoretical themes to contemporary cases and controversies in international law.