Public International Law

The principal aim of this course is to provide an analytical overview of public international law, showing what international law is, what its principal subject divisions are, how it works and what its strengths and weaknesses are. Among the topics considered will be the nature of international law, the sources and subjects of international law, the relationship between international law and municipal law, the settlement of international disputes, human rights, recognition and self-determination, the use of force and the international commons. The emphasis throughout will be on placing international law in the context of contemporary world affairs. Evaluation is by examination.