Learning objectives
The course aims at providing students with basic notions of Public International Law. At the end of the course, students will be able
- to recognize, interpret and properly apply international norms to the relations between States and within the national legal system;
- to further an autonomous study of other sectors of International Law;
- to apply the acquired knowledge to practical cases and to support arguments
Prerequisites
The exams of the following courses are propaedeutic to the exam of Public International Law: Private Law Institutions, Roman Law Institutions and Constitutional Law.
The exam of Public International Law is propaedeutic to any other exam of courses belonging to the scientific sectors IUS/13 and IUS/14.
Course unit content
Concepts and features of International Law:
- notion of International Law;
- subjects: States, intergovernmental organizations, other entities;
- individuals as entities having rights and duties under International Law.
International peace and security and the prohibition of the use of force.
Sources of International Law:
- treaties and the law of treaties;
- general rules of International Law.
State responsibility for internationally wrongful acts
Settlement of international disputes
Incorporation of International Law into national legal systems
Full programme
Some key documents (e.g. United Nations Charter, Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and Draft Articles of the International Law Commission on State Responsibility for International Wrongful Acts) are available in English on the Elly Platform. Students who have no basic knowledge of the English language can find the same documents (in an unofficial Italian version) in: Luzzatto and Pocar (ed.), Code of public international law, Giappichelli editore, Turin, ult. and.
Bibliography
Students attending courses:
E. Cannizzaro, Diritto internazionale, Fifth ed., Giappichelli, Torino, 2022 (updated reissue), except the parties that will be specified during the course.
Non-attending students:
T. Scovazzi (ed.), Corso di Diritto internazionale, Parte I, Terza ed., Giuffrè, Milano, 2018, Chapter I (only sections: 1,2, 3, 4; 13 and 14; 17, 18, 19) and Chapter II;
and
T. Scovazzi (ed.), Corso di Diritto internazionale, Parte II, Seconda ed., Giuffrè, Milano, 2015, Chapter I (except sections: 35 and 36); Chapter II; Chapter III (except sections: 10 and 11)
Teaching methods
Theoretical approach (lectures) and case studies. Dialogue, interaction and active participation by students will be emphasized during lectures, through the analysis of international documents and case law made available through the Elly Platform.
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination.
Knowledge and understanding will be verified with at least two questions aimed at verifying the actual knowledge of the basic notions of international law.
The ability to apply knowledge and independence of judgment will be assessed by inviting the student to discuss general notions in the light of concrete cases.
The ability to communicate will be assessed by evaluating the student's ability to provide exhaustive definitions, to use appropriate terminology and to clarify the meaning of particular expressions or concepts.
Learning skills will be assessed through an overall assessment of the answers given to the questions proposed.
Other information
Some topics will be covered with experts in the field, i.e. lawyers, judges, diplomats, international officials, national and foreign University professors, members of NGOs.
