POS 246 Public International Law

Public international law includes standards and rules generally recognized as binding among nations, although international organizations and even individuals are becoming important players in this field. International law governs almost all areas of international relations, including war, diplomacy, trade and human rights, and its main purpose is to create a consistent and reliable system of cooperation and coexistence. The course offers an explanation of key concepts such as subjects, sources, the relationship between national and international law and state responsibility. It also provides an introduction to the most important topics, including the prohibition of the use of force, humanitarian law, human rights, criminal and trade law. The classes will be interactive and will provide students with the opportunity to apply the acquired concepts and standards to specific current situations. Each class will be complemented by case studies of recent international events.