Public International Law I
- Law
- 500 level
- 4 credit units
- 107 pages
- 10 units
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles and sources of public international law. It explores the distinctive nature of international law, differentiating it from domestic law, and examines its dynamic evolution. Key topics include treaties, customary law, jurisdiction, immunity, sovereignty, and the role of individuals and international organizations. The course also covers treaty interpretation, amendment, and termination, providing a comprehensive overview of the international legal system.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 150 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assessments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of JIL511, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
- UNIT 1: THE DISTINCTIVE NATURE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW - IPage iv
- UNIT 2 THE DISTINCTIVE NATURE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW - IIPage 10
- UNIT 3 THE SOURCES AND METHOD OF INTERNATIONAL LAW - IPage 19
- UNIT 4 THE SOURCES AND METHOD OF INTERNATIONAL LAW - IIPage 26
- UNIT 5: THE DYNAMIC QUALITY OF INTERNATIONAL LAW - IPage 35
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
JIL511 · UNIT 1: THE DISTINCTIVE NATURE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW - I
Nevertheless the War had concentrated minds to the extent that it became fashionable to emphasise the desirability of peace. In 1928 the Paris Pact on the Banning of War was signed, though its effects were hardly satisfactory. The judicial structure of the PCIJ survived although it achieved less than its advocates had anticipated.
What you should be able to do
- Explain the distinctive features of international law.
- Identify and analyze the sources of international law.
- Understand the principles governing treaty law.
- Apply the concepts of jurisdiction and immunity in international law.
- Evaluate the role of sovereignty in contemporary international relations.
- Assess the legal personality of states and other actors in international law.
What it prepares you for
- Legal Advisor
- Diplomat
- International Relations Officer
- Policy Analyst
- Human Rights Advocate
- Government
- International Organizations
- Non-Governmental Organizations
- Law Firms
- Consulting
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1: Introduction
Unit 4: The sources and method of international law II
The concept of opinio juris sive necessitatis requires understanding the mental element from a non-sentient legal personality which is merely an institution, albeit reified.
- Module 2: Core Concepts
Unit 3: Immunity from jurisdiction
The distinction between acts jure imperii and acts jure gestionis requires understanding when the state is treated as a normal litigant when it behaves like one, and as a sovereign when it exercises sovereign power.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 93 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introduction
Unit 1: The distinctive nature of international law I · 4 hours
Read the introduction to international law.. Understand the differences between international and domestic law.. Explain the changing nature of international law..
Unit 2: The distinctive nature of international law II · 4 hours
Discuss the Eurocentric view of international law.. Explain the method of international law.. Understand that international law functions by making situations fit its categories..
- Week 2Module 1: Introduction
Unit 3: The sources and method of international law I · 5 hours
Understand the content of Article 38 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice.. Recognize that treaty and customary international law are the major sources of international law.. Understand the meaning and impact of the peremptory norms of international law (jus cogens) upon treaties..
Unit 4: The sources and method of international law II · 5 hours
Understand the meaning and significance of reservations in multilateral treaties.. Understand the concept of customary international law.. Appreciate the nature and quality of sources beyond custom and treaty..
- Week 3Module 1: Introduction
Unit 5: The dynamic quality of international law I · 5 hours
Understand the meaning, significance and centrality of the concept of sovereignty.. Explain the relationship between sovereignty and jurisdiction.. Understand that the meaning of sovereignty is not fixed and explain why the changes in meaning have occurred..
- Week 4Module 2: Core Concepts
Unit 1: The dynamic quality of international law II · 6 hours
Explain the place of the individual in international law and why it has changed.. Understand the relationship between the concepts of sovereignty, personality and the place of the individual.. Understand the relationship between changes in sovereignty and legal personality..
- Week 5Module 2: Core Concepts
Unit 2: Jurisdiction in international law · 6 hours
See why and how questions of jurisdiction relate to the concept of sovereignty.. Distinguish between jurisdiction to prescribe and jurisdiction to enforce.. Recognize the natural link between territory and jurisdiction..
- Week 6Module 2: Core Concepts
Unit 3: Immunity from jurisdiction · 6 hours
Explain the basis and effect of state immunity from jurisdiction.. Explain the basis and effect of individual immunity from jurisdiction.. Describe diplomatic immunity..
- Week 7Module 2: Core Concepts
Unit 4: The law of treaties · 6 hours
Define a treaty.. Describe the place and effect of the Vienna Convention on Treaties, 1969.. Understand the legal quality of pacta sunt servanda..
- Week 8Module 2: Core Concepts
Unit 5: The amendment and termination of treaties · 6 hours
Describe the rules of treaty termination.. Understand and explain the restrictions on the possibilities of treaty Termination.. Be familiar with and critical of the law of treaty interpretation as exemplified in the Case concerning the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros Project (Hungary/Slovakia)..
- Week 9Module 1: Introduction
Module 1 Review · 8 hours
Review Module 1 Units 1-5. Complete TMA 1.
- Week 10Module 2: Core Concepts
Module 2 Review · 8 hours
Review Module 2 Units 1-5. Complete TMA 2.
- Week 11Module 2: Core Concepts
Assignments · 8 hours
Work on assignments. Prepare for final revision.
- Week 12Module 2: Core Concepts
Final Revision · 8 hours
Final Revision. Prepare for final examination.
- Week 13Module 2: Core Concepts
Final Revision · 8 hours
Final Revision. Prepare for final examination.
Preparing for the exam
- Create detailed outlines for each module, focusing on key concepts and principles.
- Develop flashcards for important legal terms and definitions.
- Practice applying treaty law principles to hypothetical scenarios.
- Review case studies, such as the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros Project, to understand the application of international law.
- Focus on understanding the distinctions between different types of jurisdiction and immunity.
- Prepare concise summaries of key articles from the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.
- Participate in online discussion forums to clarify difficult concepts and exchange insights with peers.
Questions students ask about this course
What is JIL511 about?
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles and sources of public international law. It explores the distinctive nature of international law, differentiating it from domestic law, and examines its dynamic evolution. Key topics include treaties, customary law, jurisdiction, immunity, sovereignty, and the role of individuals and international organizations. The course also covers treaty interpretation, amendment, and termination, providing a comprehensive overview of the international legal system.
How many units does JIL511 have?
JIL511, Public International Law I, has 10 units across 2 modules, over 107 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is JIL511?
JIL511 carries 4 credit units, at 500 level in Law.
Is JIL511 hard?
JIL511 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does JIL511 take to study?
About 150 hours of study, spread across its 10 units.
How is JIL511 assessed?
JIL511 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.
What can I do with JIL511?
Legal Advisor, Diplomat, International Relations Officer, Policy Analyst and Human Rights Advocate.