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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PL/LAW 320-3"
COURSE NAME: "Public International Law"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2026
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Nicola Colacino
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course examines the basic concepts of public international law, to enable students to critically evaluate the interplay between legal claims and power relations. Starting with a theoretical overview of the character, development and sources of international law, the course examines such law-generating and law-implementing institutions as the United Nations, international arbitration and adjudication, international criminal tribunals, national systems and regional organizations. Such substantive areas as the law of war (the use of force and humanitarian law), international criminal law, human rights, and environmental law will be given special attention.
[Course cross-listed as of Fall 2019]
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course introduces students to the basic elements of Public International Law, dealing with major changes and challenges that this discipline currently faces. It analyses the core structure of the legal relations within international community: the interplay between the main subjects of international law – States and Intergovernmental Organizations – and the emergence of individuals and other non-State entities, the tendency towards hierarchization of the system of legal sources and the limits of effectiveness of the dispute settlement mechanisms and rules on responsibility. The course also focuses on some relevant legal regimes, namely the rules on lawful use of force according to the United Nations collective security system, the international protection of human rights, the International Humanitarian Law, the International Criminal Law procedures and institutions and the Environmental and Climate Law principles and regulations.
[Course cross-listed as of Fall 2019]
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of this course students are expected to be able to refer to the core concepts and notions related to sources and subjects of International Law and to be familiar with States’ compliance with international obligations and the consequences of breaches. Students are also expected to critically approach to the development of various branches of public international law, including inter alia, International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law, International Criminal Law and International Environmental and Climate Law.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| International Law | M. N. Shaw | Cambridge University Press | 9781108733052 | | | | | |
| Public International Law. A Multi-Perspective Approach | Sué González Hauck, Raffaela Kunz, Max Milas (eds.) | Routledge | 9781032587448 | | | Ebook | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Mid-term exam | Essay questions | 30% |
| Final exam | Essay questions | 30% |
| Project | Project assignment + oral presentation | 30% |
| Class participation | Attendance is compulsory & students shall contribute to class discussions | 10% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
This course examines the basic concepts of public international law, to enable students to critically evaluate the interplay between legal claims and power relations. Starting with a theoretical overview of the character, development and sources of international law, the course examines such law-generating and law-implementing institutions as the United Nations, international arbitration and adjudication, international criminal tribunals, national systems and regional organizations. Such substantive areas as the law of war (the use of force and humanitarian law), international criminal law, human rights, and environmental law will be given special attention.
[Course cross-listed as of Fall 2019]
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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WEEK
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TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED
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READING ASSIGNMENTS*
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Week 1
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Introduction to the Course.
Basics of general theory of International Law: Law and its function within the international community
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Public International Law.
A Multi-Perspective Approach Chapters 1-2;
M.N. Shaw, International Law, Chapters 1-2
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Week 2
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Sources of International Law. Customary law
Codification of International Law
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Public International Law.
A Multi-Perspective Approach Chapter 6;
M.N. Shaw, International Law, Chapter 3
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Week 3
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Treaty Law: treaty making process and reservations
Grounds of invalidity of treaties and the role of peremptory norms; formal and substantive hierarchy among the rules of International Law
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Public International Law.
A Multi-Perspective Approach Chapter 6;
M.N. Shaw, International Law, Chapter 16
The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties
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Week 4
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States as the original subjects of international law
Other subjects of International Law
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Public International Law.
A Multi-Perspective Approach Chapter 7;
M.N. Shaw, International Law, Chapter 5
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Week 5
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The peaceful settlement of international disputes: diplomatic means
The peaceful settlement of international disputes: judicial means
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Public International Law.
A Multi-Perspective Approach Chapter 12;
M.N. Shaw, International Law, Chapter 18
Public International Law.
A Multi-Perspective Approach Chapter 8;
M.N. Shaw, International Law, Chapter 12
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Week 6
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Review session
Mid-term exam
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Week 7
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Responsibility for internationally wrongful acts
The concept of shared responsibility between States and International Organizations
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Public International Law.
A Multi-Perspective Approach Chapter 9;
M.N. Shaw, International Law, Chapter 14
ARSIWA (2001)
DARIO (2011) Articles 6-7
The Mothers of Srebrenica case
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Week 8
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The UN Collective security system and the lawful use of armed force
The classical theory of self-defence
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Public International Law.
A Multi-Perspective Approach Chapter 13;
M.N. Shaw, International Law, Chapter 20
UN Charter, Chapter VII
The Caroline case
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Week 9
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Students’ presentations
Students’ presentations
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Week 10
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Students’ presentations
Students’ presentations
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Week 11
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International protection of human rights
Case study: Monist and dualist approaches
to human rights protection: the Kadi saga
before the CJEU
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Public International Law.
A Multi-Perspective Approach Chapters 14, 21;
M.N. Shaw, International Law, Chapters 6
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Week 12
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International Humanitarian Law
Case study: AWS and the distinction principle
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Public International Law.
A Multi-Perspective Approach Chapter 14;
M.N. Shaw, International Law, Chapter 21
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Week 13
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International Criminal Law
Case study: head of States’ arrest warrant
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Public International Law.
A Multi-Perspective Approach Chapter 22;
M.N. Shaw, International Law, Chapter 8
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Week 14
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International Environmental and Climate Law
The birth of a new branch of law:
the Trail Smelter case
Final review.
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Public International Law.
A Multi-Perspective Approach Chapters 16-17;
M.N. Shaw, International Law, Chapter 15
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Week 15
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Final exam
(Date TBA)
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