International Organization
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The teaching of International Organization deals with the basic characteristics of the international community and the structure of the international legal system. The prevailing part of the course is devoted to examining the main concepts of international law looking at their historical, political and social reality, in the light of the jurisprudence, the practice and the international case law. The remaining part, of monographic character, investigates how the processes of globalisation affect the international community system, in the light of the crisis of State sovereignty and international intergovernmental cooperation, as well as in the perspective of the raising role of non-State actors (e.g., multination corporations and NGOs) in the international arena.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
i. gain knowledge of the essential elements of international law and the law of international organizations;
ii. apply these legal concepts to understand and assess current events and emerging challenges in the international community, with particular regard to the areas of cooperation indicated in the programme and to the challenges posed by the processes of globalisation;
iii. considering the professional outlets of the degree course, develop autonomy of judgement and learning skills in the subject matter of the course;
iv. master the correct terminology of international law.
i. gain knowledge of the essential elements of international law and the law of international organizations;
ii. apply these legal concepts to understand and assess current events and emerging challenges in the international community, with particular regard to the areas of cooperation indicated in the programme and to the challenges posed by the processes of globalisation;
iii. considering the professional outlets of the degree course, develop autonomy of judgement and learning skills in the subject matter of the course;
iv. master the correct terminology of international law.
Lesson period: Second trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
More specific information on the delivery modes of training activities for academic year 2023/24 will be provided over the coming months, based on the evolution of the public health situation.
Course syllabus
The course is divided into two parts: part I (40 hours) will focus on the study of the essential notions of international law; part II (20 hours) will focus on how globalisation affects the international legal order.
Part I: 40 hours, 20 lessons. Essential notions of international law
1) Features of the international community and its legal order.
2) Sources of international law: customary law and its codification; the law of treaties; secondary law; unilateral acts; soft law.
3) The relationship between international law and municipal law.
4) State as subjects of international law: creation of Statehood; limits to their jurisdiction; changes; State succession to treaties.
5) State responsibility: imputability, wrongfulness and consequences; self-defence and the collective security system of the United Nations.
6) The settlement of disputes by peaceful means: diplomatic and judicial procedures. The International Court of Justice.
Part II: 20 hours, 10 lessons. Other subjects and effects of globalisation on the international legal order.
1) Legal personality: sui generis territorial entities and special cases (i.e. insurgents and belligerents; government in exile; the Holy See, the Sovereign Order of Malta, the International Committee of the Red Cross)
2) International organisation
3) Individuals in international law. Migrants and asylum seekers
4) Other actors of the international arena: transnational corporations and their responsibility: the role of NGO.
5) Crisis of State sovereignty.
Part I: 40 hours, 20 lessons. Essential notions of international law
1) Features of the international community and its legal order.
2) Sources of international law: customary law and its codification; the law of treaties; secondary law; unilateral acts; soft law.
3) The relationship between international law and municipal law.
4) State as subjects of international law: creation of Statehood; limits to their jurisdiction; changes; State succession to treaties.
5) State responsibility: imputability, wrongfulness and consequences; self-defence and the collective security system of the United Nations.
6) The settlement of disputes by peaceful means: diplomatic and judicial procedures. The International Court of Justice.
Part II: 20 hours, 10 lessons. Other subjects and effects of globalisation on the international legal order.
1) Legal personality: sui generis territorial entities and special cases (i.e. insurgents and belligerents; government in exile; the Holy See, the Sovereign Order of Malta, the International Committee of the Red Cross)
2) International organisation
3) Individuals in international law. Migrants and asylum seekers
4) Other actors of the international arena: transnational corporations and their responsibility: the role of NGO.
5) Crisis of State sovereignty.
Prerequisites for admission
None. However, a good level of English Language may be useful for a better comprehension of the cases commented at class.
Teaching methods
Classes are focused on the analysis of international practice. The investigation on treaties, resolutions adopted by international organizations, judgement by national and international courts and tribunals and national laws and regulations will allow a proper understanding of the diverse topics offered to students during classes. The purpose is to provide students with the necessary analytical tools for analysing and solving case studies.
At the beginning of the course, the syllabus will be circulate among students and will be uploaded on the website of the course. Teaching materials are published on the website of the course and will be part of the final exam.
At the beginning of the course, the syllabus will be circulate among students and will be uploaded on the website of the course. Teaching materials are published on the website of the course and will be part of the final exam.
Teaching Resources
A. Gioia, Diritto internazionale, Giuffrè, Milano, 2022 (except chapters VIII, IX e X).
For part II, further reading materials made available on the website of the course.
Teaching materials will be published on the website. They will be part of the programme of the exam; their knowledge will be taken into account in the final assessment.
For part II, further reading materials made available on the website of the course.
Teaching materials will be published on the website. They will be part of the programme of the exam; their knowledge will be taken into account in the final assessment.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam is an oral exam. The purpose is to appraise students': a) knowledge and critical understanding of the topics covered during classes and included in the programme of the course; b) capacity of applying the tools of public international law to investigate inter-State relations. Particular attention is given to the proper use of legal lexicon.
Educational website(s)