How Nations Behave? – Science and Practice of International Law and International Relations

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(tylko po angielsku) This spring term (24/25) course spans 10 weeks, featuring a weekly session every Friday at 2:30 pm (classroom TBC, Faculty of Law and Administration), starting March 7, 2025. Each session blends an introductory lecture with a deeper dive into assigned readings and case discussions.

Session Dates in 2025:

March: 7, 14, 21, 28

April: 4,25

May: 9,16, 23, 30

(tylko po angielsku) See above.

(tylko po angielsku) To pass, students must score at least 51% in the final assessment, comprising:

1. Class Attendance (0 or 10%): Full attendance is required, with exceptions for excused absences.

2. Informed Participation (up to 20%): Active class participation, based on thorough preparation and engagement with lectures, readings, and cases, is essential.

3. Final Essay (up to 35%):

- Deadline: Essays (3,000-4,500 words, excluding footnotes) must be submitted by June 4, 2025, 23:00 CET to mwasinski@wpia.uni.lodz.pl as an editable file.

- Topic: Essays should critically examine a chosen “object” (e.g., water, space, frontier, refugee, sugar) or “concept” (e.g., hypocrisy, solidarity, hegemony, alienation, ambivalence) from a non-mainstream perspective related to international law, as outlined in the syllabus.

- Abstract Submission: A 300-500 word abstract, including the student's name and essay title, must be sent to mwasinski@wpia.uni.lodz.pl for approval by May 10, 2025, 23:00 CET.

- Criteria for Higher Grades: Critical analysis, structured argumentation, consistent referencing, thorough research, and clear presentation are key. Creative elements like humor and cultural references are encouraged.

- Plagiarism: Strictly prohibited and will result in failure. Plagiarism includes using others' work without proper acknowledgment, whether intentionally or not.

4. Final Conversation (up to 35%): An oral exam focusing on the essay topics. For those without essays, the exam will cover all course topics.

Grading Scale:

100%-91%: Excellent (5)

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

80%-71%: Good (4)

70%-61%: Satisfactory (3+)

60%-51%: Sufficient (3)

Below 51%: Fail (option to resubmit essay and retake final conversation).

(tylko po angielsku) This course covers the following key topics, each designed to provide an understanding of various perspectives within international law:

1. Mainstream Approach to International Law: An introduction to the conventional frameworks and principles.

2. International Law and Time: Exploring the concepts and objects that define temporal aspects in law.

3. Realism: Between Law and Politics: Examining the interplay between norms of international law and political realities.

4. International Law and Literature: Investigating the intersections between legal theory and literary expression.

5. The Feminist Perspective: Analyzing international legal structures through the lens of gender equality and feminist theory.

6. Marxist Approaches: Understanding international law in the context of economic structures and class relations.

7. Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL): Discussing perspectives from the Global South on international legal norms.

8. Martti Koskenniemi: Between Apology and Utopia - Delving into Koskenniemi's critique of international law.

9. The Social Idealism of Philip Allott: Exploring Allott’s vision of a global society governed by a universal legal order.

10. Emotions of International Law: Considering the role of human emotions in the formulation and interpretation of legal principles.

Each session is designed to challenge and broaden students' understanding of international law, encouraging critical thinking and engagement with complex legal and ethical issues.

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(tylko po angielsku) This spring term (23/24) course spans 10 weeks, featuring a weekly session every Friday at 3:00 pm (classroom [-1] Faculty of Law and Administration), starting March 8. Each session blends an introductory lecture with a deeper dive into assigned readings and case discussions.

Session Dates:

March: 8,15,22

April: 5, 12, 19, 26

May: 10, 17

June: 7

(tylko po angielsku) See above.

(tylko po angielsku) To pass, students must score at least 51% in the final assessment, comprising:

1. Class Attendance (0 or 10%): Full attendance is required, with exceptions for excused absences.

2. Informed Participation (up to 20%): Active class participation, based on thorough preparation and engagement with lectures, readings, and cases, is essential.

3. Final Essay (up to 35%):

- Deadline: Essays (3,000-4,500 words, excluding footnotes) must be submitted by June 4, 2024, 23:00 CET to mwasinski@wpia.uni.lodz.pl as an editable file.

- Topic: Essays should critically examine a chosen “object” (e.g., water, space, frontier, refugee, sugar) or “concept” (e.g., hypocrisy, solidarity, hegemony, alienation, ambivalence) from a non-mainstream perspective related to international law, as outlined in the syllabus.

- Abstract Submission: A 300-500 word abstract, including the student's name and essay title, must be sent to mwasinski@wpia.uni.lodz.pl for approval by May 10, 2024, 23:00 CET.

- Criteria for Higher Grades: Critical analysis, structured argumentation, consistent referencing, thorough research, and clear presentation are key. Creative elements like humor and cultural references are encouraged.

- Plagiarism: Strictly prohibited and will result in failure. Plagiarism includes using others' work without proper acknowledgment, whether intentionally or not.

4. Final Conversation (up to 35%): An oral exam focusing on the essay topics. For those without essays, the exam will cover all course topics.

Grading Scale:

100%-91%: Excellent (5)

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

80%-71%: Good (4)

70%-61%: Satisfactory (3+)

60%-51%: Sufficient (3)

Below 51%: Fail (option to resubmit essay and retake final conversation).

(tylko po angielsku) This course covers the following key topics, each designed to provide an understanding of various perspectives within international law:

1. Mainstream Approach to International Law: An introduction to the conventional frameworks and principles.

2. International Law and Time: Exploring the concepts and objects that define temporal aspects in law.

3. Realism: Between Law and Politics: Examining the interplay between norms of international law and political realities.

4. International Law and Literature: Investigating the intersections between legal theory and literary expression.

5. The Feminist Perspective: Analyzing international legal structures through the lens of gender equality and feminist theory.

6. Marxist Approaches: Understanding international law in the context of economic structures and class relations.

7. Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL): Discussing perspectives from the Global South on international legal norms.

8. Martti Koskenniemi: Between Apology and Utopia - Delving into Koskenniemi's critique of international law.

9. The Social Idealism of Philip Allott: Exploring Allott’s vision of a global society governed by a universal legal order.

10. Emotions of International Law: Considering the role of human emotions in the formulation and interpretation of legal principles.

Each session is designed to challenge and broaden students' understanding of international law, encouraging critical thinking and engagement with complex legal and ethical issues.

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(tylko po angielsku) This course in the spring term (22/23) is divided into 10 weeks. The delivery format is a weekly session combining lecture, discussion of assigned reading materials, and discussion of selected cases.

Date: Friday, 3.00 pm (room - 1). The first session will be held on March 10.

Other sessions:

March: 17, 24, 31

April: 14,21

May: 5, 12, 19, 26

(tylko po angielsku) See: above

(tylko po angielsku) 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 grade 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 their willingness and ability to discuss lectures, readings, and cases.

(3) WRITING AND SUBMITTING FINAL ESSAY – constitutes up to 35% of the final grade.

(3.1) Deadline: Students are required to submit their final essays (between 3.000 and 4.500 words, excluding footnotes) by June 4th, 2023 (23.00 CET). Essays should be sent to mwasinski@wpia.uni.lodz.pl as an editable file.

(3.2) Topic: The paper should appraise a selected “object” (e.g., water, space, frontier, refugee) or “concept” (e.g., hypocrisy, solidarity, hegemony). A selected object or concept should be discussed as a reference point in a discussion about international law and from the selected non-normative perspective covered in the “Teaching schedule” (see: below). Sample essays will be provided.

(3.3) Approval of topics: A proposed working topic should be submitted for approval as a brief abstract (300-500 words) to mwasinski@wpia.uni.odz.pl The deadline for submitting abstracts is May 7th, 2022 (23.00 CET). All abstracts should include: (a) name; (b) essay title; (c) 300-500 words description of a selected research problem.

(3.4) To get higher grade, Students should: (a) be critical towards so-called 'common sense views'; (b) pay attention to good structure; (c) be consistent in referencing, citation style, and formatting; (d) carry out decent research of existing literature; (e) present the main argument clearly and in an attractive way (humour, references to art, pop-culture etc. are encouraged).

(3.5) 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 35% of the final grade. The final exam will be oral and will focus predominantly on problems discussed by a student in his/her essay. 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).

(5) 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).

(tylko po angielsku) 1. Introductory session;

2. International Law and Literature;

3. The Feminist Perspective;

4. Marxism & Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL)

5. International Law and Social Sciences

6. Turn to History;

7. Martti Koskenniemi: Between Apology and Utopia;

8. The Social Idealism & Global Constitutionalism;

9. Problems with Interpretation;

10. International Law and Time.

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(tylko po angielsku) The course is divided into ten sessions (Mar: 19, 26; Apr. 9; 30; May: 7, 14, 21, 28; June: 4,11).

The first two sessions are designed as lecture-style presentations introducing international law from the mainstream perspective, and elaborating specific cognitive frames present within dominant the dogmatic thinking about international law.

Sessions III-IX: Each session consists of two short lectures. One of them is focused on a selected approach to international law (e.g., feminist approach); the other presents a selected subject-matter issue of international law (e.g., the use of force). The brief lectures are followed by discussions of assigned readings, games (e.g., moot court, Oxford Union-style debate, simulated press conference), and feedbacks.

Mandatory reading materials will be submitted closer to the date and will be available on the website of the University of Lodz and/or sent by USOSmail.

During the last session (11th June) Students are expected to submit and to discuss their evaluation papers.

(tylko po angielsku) Students are obliged to attend the course, read assigned materials, and actively participate in simulations. They are also required to write one evaluation paper due on the last session (11th June). The paper should critically appraise a selected international law case. Length: 1.500-2.500 words. Both: active participation, and the paper will account for the final grade.

(tylko po angielsku) 1. Introduction to International Law;

2. Discussion about limits of sensual and intellectual cognition;

3. Traditional (that is dogmatic and positivist) approach to the role of international law in the international society;

4. Realism and International Law;

5. Decision-making theories: The New Haven School, and Transnational Legal Process;

6. Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL);

7. Feminist Approach to International Law and other branches of Critical Legal Studies;

8. Interdisciplinary approaches to international law resulting from the so-called “empirical turn” in international legal scholarship.