International Law in International Relations

(tylko po angielsku) Teaching Arrangements:

This Autumn term course (24/25) spans 15 weeks.

Each weekly session combines lectures and discussions, comprising three parts:

1. Lecture addressing the core topic covered by assigned readings.

2. Discussion of controversial points centered around selected contentious issues.

3. Case studies designed to help to achieve the intended learning outcomes.

This format ensures comprehensive coverage of the subject matter while encouraging active participation and critical engagement.

(tylko po angielsku) To pass this course, each student must achieve a minimum of 51% in the final assessment (see "Evaluation" below). The final grade consists of the following four elements:

1. Attendance at Classes:

Attendance is recorded and counted unless excused. Only full attendance contributes 10% to the final grade.

2. Informed Participation:

This component contributes up to 10% of the final grade. Students are expected to engage actively with assigned materials and participate in class discussions. The participation grade is based on willingness and capacity to debate lectures, problems, readings, and cases.

3. Writing and Submitting Final Essay:

This constitutes up to 40% of the final grade.

- Students must email a brief essay proposal to [mwasinski@wpia.uni.lodz.pl] for topic approval by Dec. 14th, 2024 (23:00 CET). Proposals should include: (a) name, (b) essay title, (c) a 300-word description of the research problem.

- Final essays (3,500-4,000 words, excluding footnotes) are due by Jan. 14th, 2025 (23:00 CET) to [mwasinski@wpia.uni.lodz.pl] in an editable file.

- Essays should present a clear conclusion, supported by arguments and evidence.

Each student is expected to prepare an original essay anchored to a leading theme expressed by David Kennedy: "I do not contend that some people are not sometimes convinced by legal argument. To my mind, however, they have been deluded if they believe it was the reasoning process, or the arguments themselves, which compelled their behavior. Skillfully undertaken, the reasoning process can be extended until it accounts for mutually incompatible outcomes. 'Being convinced,' then, is a matter of giving up the fight, or of accepting the unstated moral and/or political values which lie beneath a given line of reasoning."

Students should use this underlying motif to discuss a specific problem of international law. The number of these problems seems infinite. For their review, students are encouraged to borrow from entries and commentaries published by various professional blogs, such as those mentioned below:

- https://www.ejiltalk.org/ [weblog]

- http://opiniojuris.org/ [weblog]

- https://voelkerrechtsblog.org/

- http://ilreports.blogspot.com/ [weblog]

- https://verfassungsblog.de/blog/ [weblog]

- https://www.lawfareblog.com/ [weblog]

- Just Security [https://www.justsecurity.org/]

- Higher grades are attainable by:

(a) Stating conclusions, arguments, and evidence clearly.

(b) Critiquing "common sense views".

(c) Using international law rules, principles, concepts, and practices in arguments.

(d) Maintaining proper academic style, structure, and formatting.

(e) Following the EJIL stylesheet [https://academic.oup.com/DocumentLibrary/EJILAW/Stylesheet%20EJIL%202016.pdf].

- Plagiarism will result in a failing grade. This includes presenting someone else's work or ideas as your own, whether intentional or unintentional.

4. Final Conversation with the lecturer.

This constitutes up to 40% of the final grade.

The conversation will cover issues discussed in the student's essay only and relevant key concepts, legal institutions, and norms of public international law.

The principal aim of the conversation is to encourage students to use professional language and to develop a critical approach to international law.

For students who did not submit essays, the exam will cover all topics listed in the course schedule.

(tylko po angielsku) The final grade consists of the following four elements:

- Attendance at Classes: 0 or 10% of the final score.

- Informed Participation: up to 10% of the final score.

- Writing and Submitting Final Essay: up to 40% of the final score.

- Final Conversation: up to 40% of the final score.

The final scores:

100%-91%: Excellent (5)

90%-81%: Very good (4+)

80%-71%: Good (4)

70%-61%: Satisfactory (3+)

60%-51%: Sufficient (3)

50% or less: Fail (with an option to retake the exam once)

(tylko po angielsku) Teaching Schedule:

1. Course Welcome & Introduction to International Law

2. Making of International Law (Sources of International Law).

3. Subjects and Actors.

4. State Responsibility. Enforcing International Law.

5. Jurisdiction of States.

6. Immunities.

7. Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes. The International Court of Justice.

8. Use of Force.

9. Law of Armed Conflict & International Criminal Law.

10. International Human Rights Law.

11. Law of the Sea.

12. International Environmental Law & International Climate Change Law.

13. International Economic Law.

14. Approaches to International Law.

15. History of International Law.

(tylko po angielsku) Teaching Arrangements:

This Autumn term course (23/24) spans 14 weeks and is structured as follows. Each weekly session combines lectures and discussions, comprising three distinct parts:

1. Lecture: The session begins with a concise lecture addressing the core topic covered by assigned readings.

2. Discussion of Controversial Points: Following the lecture, there will be a discussion centered around selected contentious issues.

3. Case Study for Learning Outcomes: The final segment involves a case study designed to help to achieve the intended learning outcomes.

This format ensures comprehensive coverage of the subject matter while encouraging active participation and critical engagement.

(tylko po angielsku) Assignments & Evaluation:

I. To pass this course, each student must obtain a minimum of 51% out of 100% available in the final assessment. The final grade is composed of the following four elements:

1. ATTENDANCE AT CLASSES: Attendance will be recorded and counted unless it is excused. Full attendance contributes 10% to the final grade.

2. INFORMED PARTICIPATION: This component contributes up to 20% of the final grade. Students are expected to actively engage with assigned materials and actively participate in class discussions. The participation grade will be based on willingness, analytical abilities, and the capacity to debate lectures, readings, and cases.

3. WRITING AND SUBMITTING FINAL ESSAY: This constitutes up to 30% of the final grade.

• Students must submit final essays between 3,500 and 4,000 words (excluding footnotes) by Jan. 14th, 2024 (23:00 CET) to mwasinski@wpia.uni.lodz.pl in an editable file.

• For essay approval, students should email a brief abstract to mwasinski@wpia.uni.lodz.pl to request approval for their chosen topic. The deadline for essay proposals is Dec. 10th, 2023 (23:00 CET). Proposals should include: (a) name; (b) essay title; (c) 300-word description of the selected research problem.

• Essays should focus on one of two general themes:

- "International Law as a Tool for Balancing Individual and Communal Interests": You can explore either the conflict between individual human beings and sovereign states or the tension between individual states and the concept of international society.

- "Exploring Everyday Operations of International Law": This theme builds on Luis Eslava's article titled 'Istanbul Vignettes: Observing the Everyday Operation of International Law' (originally published in London Review of International Law, Volume 2, Issue 1, 2014, 3–47, doi:10.1093/lril/lru005 - a copy of the article will be provided). For this theme, you are encouraged to explore Lodz's streets, capture a photo (or a series of them), and use these images as a starting point for your analysis, considering the following aspects:

(i) Where can we witness the routine domestic operation of international law?

(ii) What are the implications of international law's daily operation on people's everyday lives?

(iii) How does this observation reshape our comprehension of international law and our political engagement with it?

• Higher grades are attainable by:

- being critical of "common sense views";

- using international law rules, principles, concepts, and practice as parts of presented arguments;

- maintaining proper academic style of argumentation, structure and formatting; conducting thorough literature research, presenting arguments clearly and engagingly;

- following the stylesheet of EJIL [https://academic.oup.com/DocumentLibrary/EJILAW/Stylesheet%20EJIL%202016.pdf]

• Plagiarism will result in a failing grade. Plagiarism includes presenting someone else's work or ideas (including work or ideas developed by AI) as your own, whether intentional or unintentional.

4. FINAL CONVERSATION: This constitutes up to 40% of the final grade. The conversation will mainly cover problems discussed in the student's essay and relevant key concepts, legal institutions, and norms of public international law. For students who did not submit essays, the exam will cover all topics displayed in the course schedule.

II. Evaluation:

• 100%-91%: Excellent (5)

• 90%-81%: Very good (4+)

• 80%-71%: Good (4)

• 70%-61%: Satisfactory (3+)

• 60%-51%: Sufficient (3)

• 50% or less: Fail (with an option to retake the exam once).

(tylko po angielsku) Teaching Schedule:

1. Course Welcome & Introduction

2. Various Approaches to International Law

3. The History of International Law

4. The Making of International Law

5. Law Enforcement in International Law

6. International Courts and Tribunals

7. Use of Force

8. States and International Organizations

9. Jurisdiction of States

10. Limits of States' Jurisdiction

11. Protection of Individuals in International Law – Human Rights

12. Protection of the Environment

13. Law of States' Responsibility

14. International Law in Domestic Systems

(tylko po angielsku) Teaching arrangements:

This course in the Autumn term (22/23) is divided into 15 weeks. The delivery format is a weekly session combining lecture and discussion. A typical session is composed of three parts. This kicks off with a short lecture (approx. 20 min.) covering the main subject. This is followed by discussion focused on some selected controversial points (approx. 25 min.). The last part is a case study facilitating achievement of the intended learning outcomes (approx.45 min.).

(tylko po angielsku) Assignments & Evaluation:

I. To pass this course, each Student must obtain a minimum of 50% out of 100% available in the final assessment: The following four elements account for the final grade:

(1) ATTENDANCE AT CLASSES (absence will be recorded and counted unless it is excused) – the full attendance constitutes 10% of the final grade;

(2) INFORMED PARTICIPATION – constitutes up to 20% of the final grade. Students are expected to read assigned materials, and participate actively in every class. The participation grade will be based on willingness, and ability to analyse and debate lectures, readings, and cases.

(3) WRITING AND SUBMITTING FINAL ESSAY – constitutes up to 30% of the final grade.

- Students are required to submit their final essays between 2.500 and 3.500 words (excluding footnotes) no later than Jan. 12th, 2023 (23.00 CET). Essays should be sent to mwasinski@wpia.uni.lodz.pl as an editable file.

- Essay approval: When you have figured out a working topic for your essay, please email a brief abstract (max. 300 words) to mwasinski@wpia.uni.odz.pl to request for approval. The deadline for submitting essays proposals is Dec. 12th, 2022 (23.00 CET). Essays proposals should include: (a) name; (b) essay title; (c) 300-words description of a selected research problem.

- Essay topics: International Law: The Ways It Shapes Our Lives. Inspirations can be found at: https://www.asil.org/resources/100Ways

- To get higher grade: (a) be critical towards so-called “common sense views”; (b) refer to norms and concepts of international law; (c) pay attention to good structure; (d) be consistent in referencing, citation style, and formatting; (e) carry out decent research of existing literature; (f) present your argument clearly, and in an attractive way (do not be afraid of humor, references to art, pop-culture etc.).

- Be mindful of the plagiarism. In case of plagiarism, a student will not receive passing grade. Plagiarism is understood here as presenting someone else’s work or ideas as your own, with or without their consent, by incorporating it into your work without full acknowledgement. All published and unpublished material, whether in manuscript, printed or electronic form, is covered under this definition. Plagiarism may be intentional or reckless, or unintentional.

(4) FINAL EXAM - up to 40% of the final grade. The final exam will be oral, and will focus predominantly on problems discussed by a student in his/her essay, as well as on relevant key concepts, legal institutions, and norms of public international law. In case of students who failed to produce their final essays, the final exam will cover all topics listed in the teaching schedule of this course (see below).

II. Evaluation:

100%-91% - Excellent (5);

90%-81% - Very good (4+);

80%-71% - Good (4);

70%-61% – Satisfactory (3+);

60%-51% - Sufficient (3);

50% or less – Fail (with an option to retake an exam once).

(tylko po angielsku) The teaching schedule:

1. Course welcome & Introduction;

2. Theories of International Law;

3. The History of International Law;

4. The Making of International Law;

5. The law enforcement in International Law;

6. International courts and tribunals;

7. Use of force;

8. States and their jurisdiction;

9. Limits of States’ jurisdiction;

10. International organizations;

11. The individual in international law – protection of human rights;

12. Protection of Environment;

13. The Global Economy;

14. Law of States’ responsibility

15. International Law in domestic systems;