Credit Course - International Law
The University of Edinburgh Summer School
Key Information
Campus location
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 weeks
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 3,710
Application deadline
Request info *
Earliest start date
Request info
* 17:00 - BST
Scholarships
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Introduction
This course will introduce the field of international law.
Students will learn about the legal principles and institutions that regulate the conduct of international actors and explore contemporary issues such as war, terrorism, migration and human rights from a legal perspective.
Key information
- Subject: Law
- Teaching fellow: Dr Mohamad Janaby
- Credit level: SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate)
- Credits: 20 SCQF/10 ECTS/4 US
- Eligibility: Students must be aged 18 or over. An academic transcript must be provided to certify at least 1 year of Undergraduate study.
- Language requirements: Evidence of English language ability equivalent of IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component
- Dates: 04 July-29 July 2022
- Length: 4 weeks
- Contact hours: 56
- Course fee: £3,710
- Application deadline: 23 May 2022 (17:00 - BST)
Curriculum
Course description
This course provides students with an introductory overview of international law as an academic discipline. The focus will be on public international law, which regulates relations between various actors including states and international organisations. Students will learn about essential concepts such as the nature of international law, its sources, the law of treaties, its relationship with national laws, and its subjects.
In addition, the course will critically assess the effectiveness of international law and offer legal reflections on issues such as the role of international institutions (particularly the United Nations) and the use of force in international relations. By the end of the course, students should have developed a good understanding of the fundamentals of public international law and be familiar with basic international legal concepts.
The course is divided into four parts. The first part will provide students with foundational knowledge of the main concepts of public international law, including its definition, its nature, the relevant sources, who is subject to it, and its relationship with domestic laws. The second part will focus on the role of international institutions, including the UN system and its effectiveness in countering challenges of public international law. Students will reflect on the involvement of the UN in particular case studies. In the third part, students will learn about the general legal framework of the use of force. The use of force will be taught in the context of jus ad bellum and jus in bello. Students will be encouraged to offer independent thought on recent select examples of the use of force. The fourth part will provide students with an overview of other areas of international law, such as the law of the sea, technology, international environmental law, and international criminal law.
The course will be taught through a combination of lectures, class discussions, group work and practical exercises. Lectures will introduce key concepts and theories, and the tutorials will provide an opportunity for students to deepen their understanding through discussion and questions. Students will also be guided to use their reasoning skills to apply international legal rules to facts provided in practical scenarios. In addition, the course will include student-led, group-based presentations on contemporary issues in international law.
Timetable
Week 1 (4 July)
- Mon (10:00-12:00)
- Tues - Fri (10:00-13:00)
Week 2 (11 July)
- Mon - Fri (10:00-13:00)
Week 3 (18 July)
- Mon - Thurs (10:00-13:00)
Week 4 (25 July)
- Mon - Fri (10:00-13:00)
Teaching method
All classes will be delivered in person at the University of Edinburgh’s Holyrood Campus.
Assessment
The course will be assessed through a 2500-word essay. In preparation of the essay, students will be encouraged to submit an essay plan of up to 750 words on which feedback will be provided.
Program Outcome
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify and define the main concepts of international law including its nature, sources and subjects, statehood, as well as its relationship with national law.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the international legal regime governing the use of force.
- Analyse current issues, such as examples of the use of force, from a legal perspective.
- Critically assess the effectiveness of international rules and institutions, including the United Nations.
- Show awareness of selected areas of international law, such as the law of the sea, environmental law, and international criminal law.