Public International Law

This introductory course acquaints students with the methodologies, sources, doctrines, and institutions of international law.

Specifically, the course will address:

• the nature of and sources of international law, as well as its lawmaking processes;
• the bases of jurisdiction in the international community and the role of international law in the U.S. legal system (including the allocation of foreign affairs powers between Congress and the President);
• international conflict resolution; the role of non-state actors; international trade and investment standards;
• international and regional courts and organizations; and,
• control of the use of force in international relations.

Topics such as international criminal law, human rights, law of the sea, and international environmental law will also be explored.