Introduction
Learn about the Law of the International Community, including how International Law is created, applied and upheld in today's world.
About this course
International law can be considered as the law of the international community, the law that governs relations between States. But it also relates to what international organizations do and, increasingly, it concerns individuals, corporations, NGO’s and other non-state actors.
As the world becomes more interdependent and more complex, and as new institutions are put in place to make international law more effective, international law has become an exciting, expanding field. Never before has it been so relied upon, used and developed. Despite their differences in size, power, culture, religion, and ideologies, states rely on international law to cooperate and to coexist; they speak the language of international law and international law serves them as an important common language.
This law course will extensively rely on judgments and advisory opinions of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN).
Having acquired a basic knowledge of international law, you’ll find it easier to comprehend this subject in future international law sub-fields, like international human rights, international humanitarian law or international investment law.
This course will teach you what international law is, the role it plays in the world today, how it can be used. You will also gain knowledge to help you better discern legal arguments within the flow of international news and reports.
This course is part of the International Law MicroMasters Program that is designed to give learners a critical understanding of how international relations between States and individuals are dealt with, regarding the law.
What you'll learn
How, and by whom, international law is made, by whom it must be respected, and how it is applied.
What happens when binding rules are breached and how is it possible to seek justice in this world.
Course Syllabus
Introducing International Law
What is International law
A brief history
International law as a common language
Setting the International Law Stage
States
International Organizations
United Nations
Making International Law (part 1)
Introduction: the theory of sources
The problem of International Law-making
Customary International Law
Making International Law (part 2)
International Treaties
The Validity of Treaties
General Principles
Unilateral Acts
Soft-Law
Applying International Law
Binding force of International Law
Interpreting International Law
Conflicting obligations
Applying International Law, including in domestic law
Claiming responsibility
The Notion of Responsibility and the Concept of Internationally Wrongful Act
Attribution of Internationally Wrongful Act
Responsibility and New Obligations
Invoking Responsibility
Countermeasures
Seeking Justice
Pacific Settlement of Disputes
Arbitration
The International Court of Justice (Jurisdiction)
The International Court of Justice (Procedure)
The International Criminal Court
International Immunities before Domestic Courts
Upholding Peace
The Outlawry of War
Self-Defence
Collective Security
The Use of Force and the United Nations
Prerequisites
No prior knowledge of international law is required. However, students should be familiar with the requirements of graduate-level courses and should preferably have already followed some law courses in order to be familiar with legal concepts and legal language.
Further Information
Length: 12 Weeks
Effort: 6–8 hours per week
Price: FREE; Add a Verified Certificate for $150 USD
Institution: LouvainX
Subject: Law
Level: Advanced
Language: English
Video Transcript: English
