LAW30730 Public International Law

Academic Year 2024/2025

Traditionally, public international law was said to concern the legal relations between sovereign equal states. If that description was ever really accurate or adequate, today it is certainly a view of international law under strain. The growing and increasingly complex web of treaty rules establishing regimes to regulate virtually every field of human endeavour – from the oceans to global finance and trade – often also establishing ambitious institutional structures with significant normative power and influence, sees modern international law increasingly penetrate the day-to-day functioning of all sovereign states.

The first part of the module seeks to offer an introduction to the nature, sources, subjects and institutional structures of modern international law, discussing foundational principles and doctrines, looking at matters such as the sources, structures and subjects of international law followed by an introduction to jurisdiction and international responsibility. The second part of the module focusses on dispute settlement in international law which will involve a discussion of the use of force in international law, the scope of international humanitarian law and the role of the International Criminal Court.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module, students should have an enhanced appreciation and understanding of:
- the nature and sources of public international law;
- questions relating to the sovereignty of territory and the state;
- the scope of the issues relating to the use of force in international law; and,
- the evolving role of international organisations in contemporary international law.
On completion of this module, students should also have enhanced the generally transferable skills and specific skills already developed throughout their degree programmes. This module aims to enhance the following skills:
- the ability to present a coherent written legal argument; and,
- the ability to conduct legal research, especially using international legal materials.

Students will be expected to demonstrate these learning outcomes through an examination in which they will be required to answer two questions from a range of questions reflecting the lectures in the module.

Indicative Module Content:

Introduction to Public International Law
- International Law in Ireland
Sources of International Law
- Treaties, Custom, Judicial Practice and other sources
Subjects of International Law
- States, United Nations and International Organisations
Sovereignty and Territory
- Law of the Sea, Air and Outer Space
Jurisdiction and Immunities
- Sovereign Immunity in Ireland
State Responsibility
- Individual Responsibility
Dispute Settlement in International Law
- International Courts
Use of Force by States
- Sanctions, Countermeasures, Collective Security
- The Law of Armed Conflict
- Humanitarian Intervention
- The International Criminal Court

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Autonomous Student Learning

125
Total

149
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will be delivered through face-to-face lectures. Presentations used in the lectures will be posted on Brightspace and these will include an indication of reading and additional reading. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
LAW30420 - Public International Law II, LAW30430 - Public International Law I


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Exam (In-person): Examination: A closed book one-hour examination in which the students must answer one question from two questions addressing issues raised in the second half of the module. n/a Graded No

50
Assignment(Including Essay): A 2000 word essay addressing issues raised in the first half of the module n/a Graded No

50

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be offered to students on the coursework assignment, both individually and in the lectures. Generalised feedback will also be offered on student performance in the examination.