International Law

This is a general survey course in public international law. It is designed to introduce students to the basic concepts of the international legal system, including its fundamental principles and its main institutional structures and actors. Among other topics, we will study the traditional sources of international law (treaties and custom), the subjects of international law (states, international organizations, and individuals), and dispute settlement mechanisms. Against that background, we will study several substantive areas of international law, including the use of force, human rights, and international law enforcement. There will be some emphasis on the incorporation of international law into the U.S. domestic legal system.