| CODE | DST5114 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to International Law | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 8 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Diplomatic Studies | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The aim of this study-unit is to familiarise the student with the general principles of public international law. Particular attention is paid to the sources and the subjects of international law. While the emphasis of the 1st semester rests on general principles, the purpose of the 2nd semester is to acquaint the student with some specific topics in international law. The selected topics focus on three main areas: the law of the sea, the humanitarian dimension of international law, and diplomatic law. Study-Unit Aims: - To familiarise the students with the basic principles of international law; - To explore the sources of international law, in particular customary international law and treaty law; - To examine the subjects of international law, in particular the growing role of the individual in international law; - To assess the role and impact of regional human rights institutions in developing principles of international law; - To introduce the basic tenets of diplomatic privileges and immunities according to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations; - To familiarise students with the most important principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III); - To introduce the basic principles of international humanitarian law. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - recognise and define the manner by means of which international law is created and applied; - illustrate and differentiate between the role of the subjects of international law; - demonstrate a sound knowledge of the principles governing specific branches of international law (namely, human rights law; international humanitarian law; diplomatic law; and law of the sea). 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - comprehend, interpret, and apply international legal texts to the diplomatic context; - perform basic legal tasks in an international law environment; - brief superiors/juniors on the basic principles of international law. Main Texts and Supplementary Readings: Main texts All main texts are available at MEDAC Library. - Brownlie, I. “Basic Documents in International Law”, Oxford University Press, 2003 (5th Ed.). - Brownlie, I. “Principles of Public International Law”, Clarendon Press, 2003 (5th Ed.). - Fleck, D. “The Handbook of Humanitarian Law in Armed Conflicts”, Oxford University Press, 1995. - Harris, D.J. “Cases and Materials on International Law”, Sweet and Maxwell, 2004 (6th Ed.). - Lowe, A.V. & R. Churchill. “The Law of the Sea”, Manchester University Press, 1999. Supplementary readings - Malanczuk, P. “Akehurst's Modern Introduction to International Law”, Routledge, 1997 (7th Ed.). - Regan, C. (ed), “80:20 Development in an Unequal World”, 80:20, Ireland, 2006 (5th Ed.). - Robertson, G., “Crimes Against Humanity: The Struggle for Global Justice”, The New Press, 2006 (4th Ed.). - Shaw, M. “International Law”, Cambridge University Press, 2003 (5th Ed). - Steiner, H.J. & P. Alston. “International Human Rights in Context”, Oxford University Press, 1995. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | ||||||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | David Attard Felicity Attard Suzanne Gili Omar Grech (Co-ord.) Patricia Vella de Fremeaux |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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