Course Description

Functioning of the legal structures in the international system with special emphasis on the relation between law and politics.

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Athena Title

INTERNATIONAL LAW

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Equivalent Courses

Not open to students with credit in POLS 6220

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Semester Course Offered

Not offered on a regular basis.

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Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

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Course Objectives

Students will appreciate the degrees to which international law has 1. a symbolic function 2. a strategic function 3. a military function 4. an identity function Overall, the importance of international law as a legitimacy generating device will be emphasized.

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Topical Outline

1. The philosophical origins of international law 2. The political constraints under which international law is created 3. International law as a form of "realpolitik"? 4. How is international law negotiated? 5. Case studies in international law. 6. The consequences of international law. 7. Does international law matter? 8. Is international law the weapon of the weak or the strong? 9. Globalization and the future of international law

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