Registration ends 07.4.2026 at 23:59 h

International law governs the conduct of States and other international actors (such as international organisations). It supplies the basic framework for the organisation of the international political process and establishes rules and institutions for regulating different aspects of international relations. It is often in the news - and typically when its basic rules are being violated (such as currently on the territory of Ukraine), prompting many observers to wonder whether international law is really law.

This course offers an introduction to international law. It has two aims: (1) to introduce students to the basic 'infrastructure‘ of international law — the sources and actors of law, the process for settling disputes, and the like; and (2) to highlight how international law is involved in current controversies.

As regards the first aim ('infrastructure‘), the course is not designed to be technical, but seems to provide an accessible introduction to students with an interest in international relations and global politics.

As regards the second aim ('controversies’), and reflecting the different backgrounds of students, we will cover current controversies from different fields of international law - incl peace & security, and international economic relations. The overall goal is to offer an accessible, practice-oriented introduction to a highly relevant form of international governance and to expose students to 'international law in action‘.

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