Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description



CODE INL3005

 
TITLE International Law

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 10

 
DEPARTMENT International Law

 
DESCRIPTION Introduction to International Law

This unit is designed to introduce the student to the main principles of international law; special emphasis is made on the Maltese perspective. It covers the basic general principles of the subject such as: the nature, workings and sources of international law, treaty law, and the relationship between international law and municipal law. It also deals with the legal personality of the subjects of international law (States, organizations, individuals and controversial candidates), principles of jurisdiction, State responsibility, and the recognition of States and Governments.

As part of this unit the Department organizes, in cooperation with the European Law Students’ Association, an international seminar on a major contemporary issue of international law.

Selected Areas of International Law

This unit is designed to train students to apply the basic principles examined during the first semester to specialized branches of international law. The following are examples of branches examined in this unit: the law of diplomatic privileges and immunities, the peaceful settlement of international disputes, the law of human rights, the law of environmental protection with special emphasis on the protection of extraterritorial areas, and the law of the sea, with special emphasis placed on the situation pertaining to Malta.

Learning Outcomes:

At the completion of the study-unit students:

• Will have gained an introductory understanding of the general principles of Public International;
• Be able to address theoretical and practical problems of studies with respect to the various branches of International Law;
• Possess the knowledge necessary to pursue in-depth studies in specific areas of international law.

As part of this unit the Department organizes a series of seminars addressed by eminent speakers. In the past academic year, the following personalities have addressed the students:

- Ms. Cherie Blair Q.C. (Leading Human Rights Lawyer);
- Professor Vaughan Lowe (Chichele Professor of International Law, Oxford University);
- Professor Paul Kennedy (Director, Institute of Security Studies, Yale University).

Selected Bibliography:

I. Brownlie. “Principles of Public International Law”.
M. N. Shaw. “International Law”.
P. Malanczuk. “Akehurst’s Modern Introduction to International Law”.
D. P. O’Connell. “The International Law of the Sea” (2 Volumes).
R. R. Churchill and A. V. Lowe. “The Law of the Sea”.

Periodicals

American Journal of International Law
European Journal of International Law
International and Comparative Law Quarterly
British Yearbook of International Law

Cases and Materials

Reports of the International Court of Justice
International Law Reports
International Legal Materials
I. Brownlie, Basic Documents in International Law
D. J. Harris, Cases and Materials in International Law

Selected Websites

American Society of International Law http://www.asil.org
Electronic Informational System for International Law http://www.eisil.org
United Nations http://www.un.org
International Maritime Law Institutehttp://www.imli.org
International Court of Justice http://www.icj-cij.org
International Law Commission http://www.un.org/law/ilc/
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malta http://www.foreign.gov.mt/

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment Yes 10%
Examination (3 Hours) Yes 90%

 
LECTURER/S David J. Attard
Simone Borg
Chris Soler
Patricia Vella de Fremeaux&nbsp(Co-ord.)

 

 
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 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.


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