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 with a correct terminology and adequate reasoning.
Prerequisites
The exams of the following courses are propedeutic to the exam of Public International Law: Private Law Institutions, Roman Law Institutions and Constitutional Law.
The exam of Public International Law is propedeutic 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.
The maintenance of 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.: the United Nations Charter, the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and the Draft Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Unlawful Acts) are available in the authentic English version on the Elly Platform. Students who are not familiar with the English language can find the same documents, in the Italian translation, in: Luzzatto and Pocar (edited by), Codice di diritto internazionale pubblico, Giappichelli editore, Torino, ult. ed.
Bibliography
Students attending courses:
E. Cannizzaro, Diritto internazionale, Fourth ed., Giappichelli, Torino, 2018, 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; Chapter II (except sections: 16 and 17); Chapter III; Chapter IV (except sections: 10, 11 and 12).
Teaching methods
Taught lessons: 48 hours.
Seminars: 16 hours.
During seminars, students shall analyze and discuss international documents and case-law available at 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.
During the course, attending students will be invited to take three written tests on a voluntary basis. The purpose of this exercise is to monitor the students' learning level of some basic notions. The tests will consist in the discussion of one or more hypothetical cases and the outcome will be discussed with the class in order to better clarify some concepts and avoid further mistakes. The calendar of the written tests will be made known during the course.
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.
