00230 - International Law (R-Z)

Learning outcomes

The course aims at introducing students to the main issues concerning the formation and functioning of contemporary international law.

Course contents

The course focuses on the three main functions of the international Community's legal order - i.e. formation, assessment and enforcement of international law -, in light of its political and social evolution. The course will deal also with some of the most sensitive contemporary issues in international law, such as international human rights law.

The course will be divided into two teaching modules (30 hours each). The first module will be chaired by Prof. Marco Balboni, while the second module will be managed by Dr. Giuliana Scotto.

A) Prof. Balboni's module:

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. Incorporation of international law in domestic orders.

B) Dr. Scotto's module:

5. International responsibility.

6. Enforcement of international law and the use of force.

7. International dispute settlement.

8. Issues of material international law: international human rights law.

Readings/Bibliography

Texts

For the general part: A. Tanzi, Introduzione al diritto internazionale contemporaneo, 5th edition, CEDAM, 2016.

For the special part: M. Balboni, Il Consiglio d’Europa, in Le Organizzazioni internazionali come strumenti di governo multilaterale, L.S. Rossi (ed.), Milano, 2006, pp. 49-93; A. Marchesi, La protezione internazionale dei diritti umani: Nazioni Unite e organizzazioni regionali, Milano, 2011 (except for the chapter on Diritti umani e giustizia penale internazionale); G. Scotto, Contenuto di norme internazionali: divieto dell’uso della forza, in Diritto internazionale per filosofi, Monaco, 2014, pp. 167-207.

Documents

A code of international law will be suggested at the beginning of the course.

Teaching methods

Traditional teaching, with the possible delivery of specific seminars.

Assessment methods

The exam at the end of the course will consist in a multiple choice questions written test. By suceeding in the written test, the student may take the oral examination. The two tests will be held on the same day.
It is not possible to take the written test during a session and the oral examination during a later session. The two tests shall be taken during the same session.

Teaching tools

Office hours

See the website of Marco Balboni [https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/marco.balboni/en]

See the website of Giuliana Scotto [https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/giuliana.scotto/en]

Office hours

See the website of Marco Balboni

See the website of Giuliana Scotto