Public International Law

Teacher(s)

d'Argent Pierre;

Language

English

Main themes

The course presents in a systematic way the fundamental features of Public international law, being the legal order governing relations within the 'International Community'. It also covers the main questions relating to the application of international law by domestic courts. The founding elements of the discipline will be exposed, i.e.:

• General concepts;
• Subjects of international law;
• Sources of international law (together with the relationship of sources with domestic law);
• International responsibility;
• Pacific settlement of disputes;
• Collective security, use of force and sanctions;
• Regime and protection of spaces;
• Basic aspects of the international protection of Human rights;
• Basic rules of international trade.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	The aim of this course is to make students familiar with the basic rules governing the international society, composed primarily of States, and to analyze the issues that may be raised by their enforcement in national legal systems, especially in the Belgian one. The purpose is also to enable students to better understand current international events with the perspective of the legal rules governing international relations.

Content

This is a general course in public international law, aimed at teaching the essential structures and rules of this legal order as it applies to international relations.
The following are studied: the history of international law, the subjects of international law, the territory of the State and other spaces (sea, air, space), the sources of international law (custom, treaties...), the application and interpretation of international law, international responsibility, the settlement of international disputes, the law of collective security (UN). The course also briefly addresses the application of international law before domestic court, with a focus on the specificities of the Belgian legal order.

Teaching methods

This course is taught entirely in English and is based on a combination of (1) a MOOC available on edx.org and (2) lectures on Teams (not recorded). Details of the MOOC schedule and Teams lessons are available on the course's Moodle page.
An introductory lecture will be held in person (without recording) in Louvain-la-Neuve.

Evaluation methods

Written exam, entirely in English. Students who fail the exam during the academic year in which the course is taught may be offered the opportunity to take an oral exam in English during the following academic year (‘bis sans suivre’).

Other information

See above under Methods of teaching.

Online resources

See above under Methods of teaching and the Moodle page of the course. 

Faculty or entity

> BUDR