Law, Jurisp & Social Thought 165 - International Law

Is Scotland a sovereign state? After the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union, can Scotland decide to remain in Europe and thus leave the U.K. to become an independent state? Similarly, in the Syrian context, who can claim a right to statehood in a future, post-civil war Syria? Assad, pro-Western militias, Kurds in Rojava (Kurdish Syria), or ISIS? And similarly, if Palestinians have a right to self-determination, do Israeli armed forces have a right to use force against Hamas in the Gaza strip?

These questions are certainly questions of international politics. But these questions are in part discussed in the language of international law. Even when pursuing ideological preferences and wielding military and economic power, states frame international policies in legal terms: The United States claims that drones targeting suspected terrorists are lawful. The U.S. also claims that citizens outside the U.S. do not have a right to privacy when spied on by the NSA. Also, Russia invoked international legal arguments to justify the annexation of Crimea, as it cited international law to offer Edward Snowden safe harbor. Today, from the right to self-determination to human rights, states, international institutions, as well as NGOs, terrorists and TNCs frame their interests in the language of international law. This course provides an introduction to international law concepts, principles and institutions, and the international legal discourse that shapes contemporary international politics.

The purpose is to understand how international legal norms emerge, how they shape subjectivities, competences and responsibilities of international actors, and their impact on contemporary problems of global scale. Overall, the aim of this course is to lay the basis for an informed assessment of the contributions and limits of international law as a force in world affairs.

Limited to 50 students. Spring semester.  Visiting Professor Becker-Lorca.