Duration
48h Th
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The course is divided into five parts.
The first part consists of a general introduction to the founding feartures and historical roots of international law.
The second part is devoted to the subjects of international law. The position of States is the main focus of attention. International organisations, individuals and other active entities in the international legal order are also considered.
The third part deals with the sources of international law. The course follows the traditional list of sources under article 38 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice: intrenational treaties, customary law and general principles of law. Other sources and subsidiary means for the determination of rules of law (scholarly literature and judicial practice) are also considered.
The fourth part deals with the enforcement of international law, first in the international legal order (peaceful settlement of disputes, State responsibility, unilateral sanctions and collective security), then in the domestic legal order (which includes an analysis of the self-executing nature of international law and its primacy over domestic law).
The fifth and last part sheds some light on a few selected, substantive areas that are of importance in contemporary international law (international environmental law, the law of the sea and international economic law).
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
The main aim of the course is to enable students to gain a general understanding of the cross-cutting mechanisms of international law, which radiate across a wide range of branches of the law. In a second stage that will be implemented through an online self-learning programme, students will be invited to explore an area of international law of their choice from a list of important contemporary issues selected by the teaching team. By the end of the course, students will be able to apply a series of basic practical skills required in any negotiation or litigation process involving international norms.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Students must have followed a public law or constitutionnal law course.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The first four parts of the course will mainly take the form of lectures. In addition, a number of practical exercises sessions will be scheduled throughout the semester, which will offer students the opportunity to test their capacity to translate intro practice the theoretical knowledge acquired in class (in line with what will be expected from them at the exam). Incidentally, the practical exercises could also be used to further explore certain theoretical points. Active participation in the practical exercises is expected and the course programme specifically includes time for personal preparation for these sessions. The fifth part of the course will take the form of a self-learning programme that will be made available on eCampus during the course of the semester.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Blended learning
Further information:
Most of the course is taught face-to-face, with the exception of the fifth and final part, which consists of a self-learning programme delivered on eCampus.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
The teaching material for the course consists of the following:
- a collection of international legal instruments (available on eCampus and from the Presses Universitaires) ;
- a detailed outline of the course (available on eCampus and reproduced in the printed collection of legal instruments) ;
- one Powerpoint presentation for each lecture (available on eCampus);
- a series of practical exercises (available on eCampus one week before each relevant session);
- online self-learning programmes for the last part of the course (available on eCampus).
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam
Further information:
The assessment method will be twofold:
- 2 points ouf of 20 will be earned for the completion, on eCampus, of the self-study programme chosen by each student. This programme, which will be made available during the semester and must be completed by a deadline to be specified by the teaching team, will be made up of a succession of resources (podcasts, press articles, scholarly literature, excerpts of judgments, etc.) that students will have to explore in turn. After each resource, a quiz or some other form of test will be proposed to check that the material has been properly understood, and this will determine access to the next stage of the learning programme. These intermediary tests are automatic and purely formative, and participants will be allowed as many attempts as necessary;
- 18 points ouf of 20 will be determined by an open-book written exam. The aim of this exam is to encourage reflection and the use of international instruments and other resources introduced during the course, and to generally place students in a situation comparable, as far as possible, to that of practising international lawyers. Students are expected to bring their collection of international instruments, lecture notes and any other printed resources they may wish to use. Cross-referencing of articles, annotations and all other forms of appropriation of materials are of course permitted to the widest possible extent. The use of electronic devices or communication methods will however not be permitted.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
/
Contacts
Christophe Deprez: christophe.deprez@uliege.be
Manon Wuine: manon.wuine@uliege.be