2435.15 - International Law

2435.15

International Law

10

Bachelor degree or equivalent with adequate component of law

To offer the students an introduction into general international law and international legal theory. We will cover the international legal system’s principal subfields, including the law of state responsibility, the use of force, the law of war, human rights, treaty interpretation and jurisdiction and immunities. We will also focus on issues and challenges related to sub-state polities and small jurisdictions in federated structures, such as issues related to international legal personality.

The course begins with a critical discussion of international legal concepts and methodology and the status of international law as law, and how states can be both sovereign and bound by international law at the same time, when there is no international legislature or authoritative judiciary not consented to by the states. For each of the topics discussed there will be examples to illustrate international law in practice. Special attention will be given to examples cases where the Faroe Islands or neighboring countries have been involved.

40 hours, of which 30 are tightly scheduled and 10 others are field trips or special training sessions. The main classes will consist of presentations from teacher and exercises in addition to student presentations.

The students shall: -Describe international law, the legal sources, powers, institutions and mechanisms and institutions of conflict resolutions. -Demonstrate concrete and broad knowledge on both theoretical and substantive subjects of international law. -Explain the relevant methods of interpretation and the challenges of interpretation, including the importance of dynamic practise and customary law. -Explain the practise of the various organs of conflict resolution. -Analyse the development that can be seen or be expected in various subfields of the discipline of international law. -Present and formulate knowledge and arguments correctly and succinctly in eloquent and correct language.

Written submissions shall count 1/3 of the mark, oral exam 2/3. Preparing for the oral exam the student will have half an hour and will be allowed to bring all the course material and other materials from the classes. The exam question will be on particular subjects raised in the course material.

External

Ole Spiermann, Moderne folkeret, 3. udg., Jurist- og Økonomforbundets Forlag, 2006. Bárður Larsen: Materials for international law – available on the FirstClass network.

Bárður Larsen