International Economic Law
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The international economic law course focuses on the main areas of international economic relations, namely trade, foreign investments, currency arrangements and business and human rights. The purpose of the course is to open students to the legal analysis, offering them the tools for a proper understanding of the rationale and content of relevant treaties and other international law rules. Accordingly, the course will complement other courses included in the master programme, addressing international economic relations from the perspective of the political, economic or historical analysis.
International trade law, international investment law, international monetary law, and business and human rights law are examined through the prism of multilateral cooperation, including the relevant policies of the European Union.
International trade law, international investment law, international monetary law, and business and human rights law are examined through the prism of multilateral cooperation, including the relevant policies of the European Union.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to: 1) gain an overall knowledge of the most fundamental concepts of public international law; 2) apply them to the realm of economic relations, in view of understanding the legal dynamics of inter-State relations in trade, investment, financial and business and human rightsmatters and improving their ability to contextualize their economic and political implications; 3) develop autonomy of judgement and learning skills in the subject matter of the course; 4) master the correct terminology of international economic law.
Lesson period: Third 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
Third trimester
Should it become necessary to move to online teaching, the programme will be modified as follows:
Teaching methods:
As for the teaching modalities (distance, in-person or blended), depending on the health emergency-related circumstances ruling at the time, any instructions provided by the University will be duly followed. Information on how to access the distance or in-person classes, as well as any other communication or information on the course, will be published on the course's ARIEL website in due course. For any information on access to classrooms, please refer to the University's website.
Reference materials:
The programme and reference materials will not be subject to any variation.
Methods of assessment and evaluation criteria:
Methods of assessment will remain unchanged. Written examinations may take place via the Moodle platform and/or the Proctorio system, while oral examinations may take place on Microsoft Teams. In any event, assessment criteria remain unchanged.
Up-to-date information will always be made available in due course on the Ariel page of the course, which students are invited to check periodically.
Teaching methods:
As for the teaching modalities (distance, in-person or blended), depending on the health emergency-related circumstances ruling at the time, any instructions provided by the University will be duly followed. Information on how to access the distance or in-person classes, as well as any other communication or information on the course, will be published on the course's ARIEL website in due course. For any information on access to classrooms, please refer to the University's website.
Reference materials:
The programme and reference materials will not be subject to any variation.
Methods of assessment and evaluation criteria:
Methods of assessment will remain unchanged. Written examinations may take place via the Moodle platform and/or the Proctorio system, while oral examinations may take place on Microsoft Teams. In any event, assessment criteria remain unchanged.
Up-to-date information will always be made available in due course on the Ariel page of the course, which students are invited to check periodically.
Course syllabus
The course is structured in three units:
Unit I: International Trade Law
- The GATT and WTO framework
- Barriers to trade (i.e. tariffs and quotas) under WTO law;
- The principle of non-discrimination in WTO law (i.e. MFN and NT);
- General exceptions and national security exception;
- the WTO covered agreements;
- crisis and challenges of the multilateral trading system.
Unit II: International Investment Law (IIL)
- Scope and rationale of IIL. History and evolution;
- Investment and investor: definitions and case studies;
- The standards of protection of investors;
- The Host State's right to regulate;
- Investor-State dispute settlement and its reform.
Unit III: International Financial and Development Law
- The International Monetary Fund: objectives, organization, and functions
- The World Bank and other international financial institutions
- Development in the world trading system
Unit I: International Trade Law
- The GATT and WTO framework
- Barriers to trade (i.e. tariffs and quotas) under WTO law;
- The principle of non-discrimination in WTO law (i.e. MFN and NT);
- General exceptions and national security exception;
- the WTO covered agreements;
- crisis and challenges of the multilateral trading system.
Unit II: International Investment Law (IIL)
- Scope and rationale of IIL. History and evolution;
- Investment and investor: definitions and case studies;
- The standards of protection of investors;
- The Host State's right to regulate;
- Investor-State dispute settlement and its reform.
Unit III: International Financial and Development Law
- The International Monetary Fund: objectives, organization, and functions
- The World Bank and other international financial institutions
- Development in the world trading system
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisite is needed. However, a basic knowledge in International Economics and International and/or European Law is highly recommended.
Teaching methods
The teaching method combines traditional approach with innovative pedagogy methodologies, entailing a high level of interaction among participants. Interactive methodologies include presentations by students and group-work.
Active participation by students is highly expected. Precise information on interactive activities will be provided at the beginning of the course and posted on the Ariel course page.
Class attendance is strongly advised.
Active participation by students is highly expected. Precise information on interactive activities will be provided at the beginning of the course and posted on the Ariel course page.
Class attendance is strongly advised.
Teaching Resources
David COLLINS, Foundations of international economic law, Second edition, Cheltenham/Northampton, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2025.
Additional material will be indicated in class.
Additional material will be indicated in class.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam is written, and it consists in three types of questions. Part I (trade law) is going to be evaluated through a problem - question. Students have to approach a stylized case-study, identify the key facts and legal issues, the key WTO law provisions applicable and apply them to the factual scenario. Part II (investment law) is evaluated through an open question where students have to explain one of the key concepts of investment law. Part III (financial and development law) consists of four multiple choice questions where students have to identify the most appropriate answer.
Professor(s)