Core Courses
International law is a discursive practice used in international relations to deal with legal claims. It is best conceived as a language used by a group of people interacting in a social practice. Emphasis is placed on both the underlying structures of the language spoken by these individuals and the social process of interaction whereby the discourse – which aims at gaining social acceptance – is created. The goal of this course is to acquaint students with the terms of this discursive practice; to have them apprehend the fundamental structure of the language of international law, and to introduce them to the main processes by which the discourse is articulated by the social actors concerned by its practice. Ultimately, the goal is to train students to speak competently the language of international law and to teach them how to argue and interact in the different professional settings where the language of international law is spoken.
Convenor: Fuad Zarbiyev
IHL I
This practice-oriented course is designed to equip students with a detailed understanding of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and its application in contemporary armed conflicts. IHL comprises the rules of international law limiting violence in armed conflicts by protecting those who do not or who no longer directly participate in hostilities, i.e. wounded, sick, shipwrecked, prisoners of war, civilians (Geneva law); and by restricting means and methods of warfare (Hague law). The objective of this course is to provide students with the legal knowledge and the analytical and argumentative skills necessary to understand and interpret the rules of IHL and to critically apply them to facts of international reality. All students are expected to take active part in class discussions.
The course will begin with four introductory sessions on the fundamental principles, rules and categories of IHL, such as the distinction between jus ad bellum and jus in bello, scope of application of IHL, conflict classification, and the fundamental distinction between civilians and combatants. During the first semester a variety of real-life case studies related to contemporary armed conflicts, such as Russia/Ukraine, Eritrea/Ethiopia, Yemen, and Israel/Palestine will be analysed. The learning method during this first term will thus be mainly inductive: students will acquire knowledge of IHL by discovering its rules applicable to practical cases taken from contemporary practice. Key topics discussed through these cases include the conduct of hostilities, detention, occupation, organized armed groups, specially protected persons and objects, enforcement of IHL, as well as the interplay between IHL and human rights law.
Convenor: Gloria Gaggioli
IHL II
During the second semester, the course will focus on selected issues of IHL. Teaching is to be delivered through case studies. Students are expected to do the assigned readings prior to the classes, and to actively contribute to the class discussion. Pleadings will be a part of the course
Convenor: Julia Grignon