PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW
Learning outcomes of the course unit
The course aims at providing students with basic notions of Public International Law. At the end of the course, students will be able
- to recognize, interpret and properly apply international norms to the relations between States and within the national legal system;
- to further an autonomous study of other sectors of International Law;
- to apply the acquired knowledge to practical cases and to support arguments with a correct terminology and adequate reasoning.
Prerequisites
The exams of the following courses are propedeutic to the exam of Public International Law: Private Law Institutions; Roman Law Institutions; and Constitutional Law.
The exam of Public International Law is propedeutic to any other exam of the courses belonging to the IUS/13 and IUS/14 scientific sectors.
Course contents summary
Concepts and features of International Law:
- notion of International Law;
- subjects: States, intergovernmental organizations, other entities;
- individuals as entities having rights and duties under International Law.
The maintenance of international peace and security and the prohibition of the use of force.
Sources of International Law:
- treaties and the law of treaties;
- general rules of International Law.
State responsibility for internationally wrongful acts.
Settlement of international disputes.
Incorporation of International Law into national legal systems.
Course contents
All attending and non-attending students are required to know the rules under the following documents: the United Nations Charter; the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties; and the Draft Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Unlawful Acts. These documents are available in the authentic English version on the Elly Platform. Students who are not familiar with the English language may access to the same documents, in the Italian translation, in: Luzzatto and Pocar (eds.), Codice di diritto internazionale pubblico, Giappichelli editore, Torino, last ed.
Non-attending students: a video will be available on the Elly platform (Section: "Organizzazione del corso: informazioni generali", Annex) to provide some advise on how to approach the study of International Law on the recommended handbook.
Erasmus students: same program, same handbooks and same assessment methods and criteria of Italian students. Erasmus students are also warmly recommended to attend lessons and to arrange a meeting with the teacher on their arrival in Italy by writing to the following email address: laura.pineschi@unipr.it.
Recommended readings
Students attending courses:
E. Cannizzaro, Diritto internazionale, Fourth ed., Giappichelli, Torino, 2018, except the parties that will be specified during the course.
Non-attending students:
T. Scovazzi (ed.), Corso di Diritto internazionale, Parte I, Terza ed., Giuffrè, Milano, 2018, Chapter I (only sections: 1,2, 3, 4; 13 and 14; 17, 18, 19) and Chapter II;
and
T. Scovazzi (ed.), Corso di Diritto internazionale, Parte II, Seconda ed., Giuffrè, Milano, 2015, Chapter I; Chapter II (except sections: 16 and 17); Chapter III; Chapter IV (except sections: 10, 11 and 12).
Teaching methods
Lessons will take place in live streaming, but will be also recorded to allow asynchronous use through the Elly platform. Lessons will include interaction with students, mainly consisting
in the analysis and discussion of international documents and judgments available on the Elly Platform.
Assessment methods and criteria
During the first semester, if the the health emergency persists and depending on its evolution, the exam may take place either in mixed mode (i.e. in the presence, but with the possibility of taking the exam even online for students who so request the teacher, or only online for everyone. The chosen modality, between the two mentioned, will be promptly notified on the Esse3 system before the exam.
The exam is oral.
Knowledge and understanding will be assessed by asking at least two questions, aimed at verifying the actual knowledge of the basic notions of international law.
The ability to apply knowledge and independence of judgment will be assessed by inviting the student to discuss general notions in the light of concrete cases.
The ability to communicate will be assessed by evaluating the student's ability to provide exhaustive definitions, to use appropriate terminology and to clarify the meaning of particular expressions or concepts.
Learning skills will be assessed through an overall assessment of the answers given to the questions proposed.
During the course, attending students may take three written tests. The purpose of the tests is to monitor the students' learning level of some basic notions. These tests (which do not concur to the determination of the exam grade) will consist in the discussion of one or more hypothetical cases. The outcome will be discussed with the class in order to better clarify some concepts and avoid further mistakes. The calendar of the written tests will be made known during the course.
During the first semester, if the health emergency persists and depending on its evolution, the exam may take place either in a mixed mode (i.e. in the presence, but with the possibility of sustaining it through remote connection for students who do request to the teacher), or only online for everyone (remotely). Information on the chosen modality will be promptly given, prior to the exam, on the esse3 system.
Other informations
Some topics will be covered with experts in the field, i.e. lawyers, judges, diplomats, international officials, national and foreign University professors, members of NGOs.
