Course Content Summary

The course, taught in English, is addressed to Italian and foreign students. It aims at analysing the essential features of public international law. The three fundamental legal functions – law making, law-determination and law-enforcement – will be examined, giving special attention to the transformations of the international community in the era of globalization.

In particular, the course will focus on the following topics: structural features and historical evolution of the international legal system; legal subjects: States and non-state actors, the international personality of international organizations; sources of international law: custom, general principles, treaties, binding acts of international organizations; the relationship between international and municipal law; settlement of international disputes: diplomatic and judicial means, the International Court of Justice; internationally wrongful acts and the law of international responsibility; the use of force in international relations; individuals and international law: diplomatic protection, international protection of human rights, international crimes. Overview of some substantive rules relevant to: immunities of States and their organs, the law of the sea, the international legal protection of the environment.

The main textbook is

Attending students: Jan KLABBERS, International Law, Cambridge University Press, 2017, chapters 1-10, 12-14, 16.

Non attending students: Jan KLABBERS, International Law, Cambridge University Press, 2017 (all chapters).

(*) To take the exam as an attending-student, an attendance rate equal to or higher than 70% must be reported.