American Society of International Law and
the American Branch of the International Law Association
ASIL Teaching International Law Interest Group
Workshop on Teaching International Law
To be held at Hofstra University School of Law
Friday, September 25, 2009
8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. On-Site Registration and Complimentary Continental Breakfast
8:45 a.m. Dean’s Welcome Nora V. Demleitner, Dean and Professor of Law
8:50 a.m.ASIL TILIG Co-Chairs’ Greeting
Cindy Buys, Southern Illinois School of Law
Tom McDonnell, Pace University School of Law
What to Teach?
Session I 9 a.m. -- 10:15 a.m.
In keeping with the Carnegie Report, what common core of knowledge, skills, and professional values should be taught as part of an international law curriculum?
a.Knowledge, e.g., sources of international law, international tribunals and organizations
b.Skills (e.g., treaty interpretation and application, cross-cultural negotiation)
c.Values (Cultural sensitivity)
Moderator:Rumu Sarkar, Georgetown University Law Center
Speakers: Jose Alvarez, New York University School of Law[i]
Susan Sample, University of the Pacific, School of International Studies
Barbara Stark, Hofstra University School of Law
Session II10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
How should the law school curriculum be organized to best teach international law? Studies show that only 20% of students take international law electives. The challenge is how to reach the rest of the student body.
a.Required first year course in international law
b.Required upper level course in international law
c.International law electives only
d.Incorporating international law across the curriculum
e.Develop certificate program. in international law
f.JD/LLM programs/moot courts/summer study abroad programs
Moderator:Julian Ku, Hofstra University School of Law
Speakers:Manuel Gomez, Florida International University School of Law
Colin Picker, University of Missouri, Kansas City School of Law
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Lunch--Noon to 1 p.m.
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How to Teach?
Session III1 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.
Using film and video to enhance international law teaching
Moderator: Cindy Buys, Southern Illinois University School of Law
Speakers:
George Annas, Chair, Health Law, Bioethics & Human Rights,
Boston University School of Public Health
John Gamble, Penn State University Political Science
Arnold Pronto, Senior Legal Officer, United Nations
Session IV2:20 p.m. -- 3:50 p.m.
Innovative Approaches to International Law Teaching:
Problems, Simulations, and Clinics
Moderator: Tom McDonnell, Pace University School of Law
Speakers:
Christopher Borgen, St. John’s University School of Law
Jay Finkelstein, American University
Sital Kalantry, Cornell Law School
Norman Printer, Seattle University School of Law
William Slomanson, Thomas Jefferson School of Law
Session V4:00 p.m.—5:15 p.m.
Teaching and Incorporating International Law Research into International Law Courses
Speakers:John Cerone, New England School of Law
Marylin Raisch, Georgetown Law Center
Mary Rumsey, University of Minnesota Law School
For more information, contact:
Cindy G. Buys, SIU, Co-Chair ()
Tom McDonnell, Pace, Co-Chair ()
Rumu Sarkar, Georgetown, Co-Vice Chair, ()
Julian Ku, Hofstra, Organizer ()
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[i] Professor Alvarez encourages Workshop participants to read beforehand his three columns as ASIL president, entitled, "How We Teach," parts I-III, dated Aug-Oct. 2007, available at