00230 - International Law

Learning outcomes

The course gives an overview of the current structure of the international community and the international legal system, dedicating a particular attention to some specific issues as the norms regulating the use of force. At the end of the course, the student is expected to have the basic knowledge and tools to analyse the most significant events which occur within the international community from the legal point of view.

Course contents

A) General part. This part aims to provide basic knowledge about the life of the international community from the legal point of view:

1. Historical evolution and current features of the international legal system

2. The subjects of the international legal system.

3. The sources: customary law, treaties, sources issued by specific agreements.

4. The application of international norms within a country.

5. The limitations to the ruling power of countries.

6. The violation of international provisions and its consequences.

7. International disputes settlement.

B) Special part. This part will be dealing with the following issue:

The evolution of the prohibition of the use of force

Readings/Bibliography

For the general part:

- A. Tanzi, Introduzione al diritto internazionale contemporaneo, 5th edition, 2016.

For the special part:

- N. Ronzitti, Diritto internazionale dei conflitti armati, Torino, 2017 (ch. I, II and III of the section I).

For the special part, a reading amongst:

- A. Atteritano, Stati stranieri (immunità giurisdizionale degli), in Enciclopedia del diritto. Annali, Volume IV, Giuffrè, 2011, p. 1127 ss.

- M.R. Mauro, Investimenti stranieri, in Enciclopedia del diritto. Annali, Volume IV, Giuffrè, 2011, p. 628 ss.

- R. Pisillo Mazzeschi, Organi degli Stati stranieri (immunità giurisdizionale degli), in Enciclopedia del diritto. Annali, Volume VII, Giuffrè, 2014, p. 735 ss.

- L. Pineschi, Diritti umani (Protezione internazionale dei), in Enciclopedia del diritto. Annali, Volume V, Giuffrè, 2012, p. 558 ss.

- B. Pozzo, Tutela dell’ambiente (Diritto internazionale), in Enciclopedia del diritto. Annali, Volume III, Giuffrè, 2010, p. 1158 ss.

- R. Virzo, Tribunale internazionale del diritto del mare, in Enciclopedia del diritto. Annali, Volume V, Giuffrè, 2012, p. 1346 ss.

The use of a Code of International Law and International Organisations is recommended.

Teaching methods

Traditional teaching and analysis of the relevant case-law.

Assessment methods

The assessment of the course is carried out through three written tests, plus a final oral examination.

The first test is made up of 2 open questions (max. 5 points for each question) plus 40 multiple choice questions (0.5 points for each correct answer). This test aims at assessing the capacity to learn basic contents of the course. The second test includes three open questions, each one awarded with 10 points maximum. Both analytical skills and written form of presentation of arguments will be assessed. The third test involves the student in the analysis of a simulated case of violation of international law (awarded with 30 points maximum). This test aims at assessing the students' capacity to identify legal issues arising from the case-study and their ability to provide coherent and logic answers.

The oral examination aims at assessing the students' preparation about the special part on the use of force.

In order to get a final mark, each of the above mentioned tests, as well as the oral evaluation, must be evaluated with a positive mark (18/30). The final mark will be the average of the all marks obtained during the mentioned examination.

Students who have succeeded at least one of the written tests can pass directly to the oral examination. In this occasion, if needed, they have the possibility to be assessed again on the program related to the failed tests.

Students that do not pass any written test, or do not have any sufficient mark, cannot go directly to the oral examination. They will have to pass a written test dealing with the general part of the course. The written test is made up of 15 multiple choice questions and will be held on the same day of the oral discussion. In order to get the mark and be admitted to the oral exam, students will have to answer correctly at least to 11 questions. For these students, the oral examination will focus on the whole course content, both the general and the special part.

During the summer exam session (June-July) students can choose only one exam date out of the three provided. If they fail the exam or do not accept the mark, they can try again in September (one exam date). Otherwise, they will have to wait until the following summer exam session. Two exam dates are scheduled in the January-February session (for students who are enrolled from more than 3 years). The interested student must choose just one exam date.

Teaching tools

Teaching tools will be indicated during the course.

Office hours

See the website of Carmelo Danisi