C9340 - INTERNATIONAL LAW AND GLOBAL CRISIS

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will: - understand the role of international law in situations of crisis, conceived as structural and recurring conditions of the contemporary global order; - be able to identify and analyse the relevant legal instruments for addressing different types of crises, including armed conflicts, humanitarian emergencies, migration crises, health emergencies, economic and financial tensions, environmental and climate crises, and cyber threats; - be capable of assessing the limits, ambiguities, and potential of international law in crisis management; - understand and apply the response mechanisms available to both state and non-state actors, including international organisations, courts and tribunals, corporations, and civil society; - be able to evaluate the legitimacy of emergency measures in light of the principles of the international rule of law; - understand the effects of crises on multilevel governance structures and on the balance between security, fundamental rights, sustainable development, and emerging technologies; - be able to apply the international legal framework to complex scenarios and develop well-reasoned and robust legal arguments.

Course contents

Intro - International Law and Crises: Concepts, Actors and Legal Frameworks

• Understanding Crisis in International Law
• Legal Instruments
• Actors 

Part I - Humanitarian Crises

• Nature of humanitarian crises
• Applicable legal regime
• Institutions and actors
• Current challenges
• Case studies
• Practical exercise

Part II - Economic and Financial Crises

• Nature of economic and financial crises
• Applicable legal regime
• Institutions and actors
• Climate governance
• Emerging issues
• Case studies
• Practical exercise

Part III - Environmental and Climate Crises

• Environmental and climate crisis
• International economic law
• Emergency economic governance
• Current challenges
• Case studies
• Practical exercise

Part IV - Health Crises

• Global Health Governance
• Legal Framework
• Emergency Measures
• Future Challenges
• Case Studies
• Practical Exercise

Part V - Integrated Crisis Simulation

 

Readings/Bibliography

A detailed syllabus will be made available on Virtuale at least one month before the start of the course.

Teaching methods

The course combines lectures with interactive and practice-oriented learning activities. Lectures will provide students with the theoretical and legal framework necessary to understand the role of international law in the management of contemporary crises. These will be complemented by the analysis of international treaties, judicial decisions, resolutions of international organisations, and selected policy documents.

Active learning methods will include case-study discussions, problem-based learning, and group work based on realistic crisis scenarios. Students will be invited to identify the applicable legal framework, assess the positions of different international actors, and formulate legally reasoned solutions to complex situations involving competing interests and overlapping legal regimes.

The course will conclude with an integrated crisis simulation, during which students will work in small groups representing different stakeholders to negotiate and justify responses to a multidimensional international crisis.

Guest speakers from academia, international organisations and legal practice may be invited to contribute to selected sessions.

Students are required to attend at least 70% of the scheduled teaching activities in order to successfully complete the course and meet the attendance requirement.

 

Assessment methods

Student learning will be assessed through a combination of individual and group activities designed to evaluate the achievement of the intended learning outcomes.

• In-class crisis simulation (40%): Students will participate in a group-based simulation of a multidimensional international crisis, representing different stakeholders (e.g., States, international organisations, NGOs, or other relevant actors). Assessment will be based on the ability to identify the applicable legal framework, develop coherent and well-supported legal arguments, engage effectively in negotiation and decision-making, and collaborate constructively within the assigned group.
• Written examination (50%): The written examination will assess students' knowledge and critical understanding of the legal frameworks governing humanitarian, environmental, economic, and health crises. Students will be required to analyse theoretical questions and/or practical legal scenarios, identify the applicable rules of international law, critically evaluate legal issues, and formulate well-reasoned legal arguments.
• Active participation (10%): Active and informed participation throughout the course will contribute to the final grade. This component will take into account preparation for class, the quality of contributions to discussions, engagement in case-study analyses and practical exercises, and constructive participation in group activities.

Teaching tools

Lectures will be supported by PowerPoint slides and other teaching materials made available to students.

Office hours

See the website of Ludovica Chiussi Curzi