INTERNATIONAL LAW
(Laws 6400-001)

SPRING 2008

Professor Hannah R. Garry

Office: WolfLawBuilding, #429

Telephone: (303) 735-5453

Email:

I.COURSE DESCRIPTION & OBJECTIVES

The 20th and 21st centuries have been characterized by rapid growth in relations, transactions and problems transcending national borders. Consequently, international law, as a set of norms and rules regulating trans-boundary relationsbetween States, institutions, business and individuals, isconstantly evolving while influencing all other areas of law. As such, it is increasingly crucial for American lawyers, in their work and as informed citizens, to have a basic understanding of international law and its impact in various situations. This is especially important in light of the predominate role the U.S. plays in world affairs and its obligations under international law. Domestic lawyers will find that international lawis often relevant to business transactions, criminal prosecutions, civil rights/immigration work and labor relations, and that international law is increasingly finding its way into U.S. case law. International lawyers involved in government foreign affairs law and policy or working with international institutions will be faced with the fact that it is absolutely essential that they have a firm grounding international law for purposes of their work.

This course is intended to provide students at CU Law with a foundation in the fundamental principles and structure of international law through study and discussion of its definition, historical evolution, subjects and sources. In addition, the course will focus on specific subject areas in international law and provide a basic overview of each. Finally, it will explore the relationship of international law to national law, with particular emphasis on U.S. law. While one course is certainly insufficient to comprehensively cover the broad scope and complexity of international law, the primary objective of this course is to provide a basic understanding of this body of law and its application sufficient to inform practice and to trigger further in-depth study in particular areas of interest to each law student.

II.COURSE STRUCTURE & REQUIREMENTS

This class meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.in Room #205 beginning January 14th and ending April 23rd. We will not meet on Monday, January 21st, due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. We will also not meet the week of March 24th-28th due to Spring Break.

During each class period,there will be a lecture for the first 45 minutes of class followed by 35 minutes of discussion and debate. These times may be varied as required, depending on the topic for discussion and the needs of the class.

In order to maximize learning for all involved in this course, students are requested to study all of the assigned required reading and are encouraged to do recommended reading prior to showing up in class. The syllabus of assigned reading for each day is attached. Students are also expected to participate in the classroom discussion—in order to facilitate dialogue, students will be designated in advance as responsible for being called on to lead the discussion on the topic of the day. Those who are on call are requested to do the recommended reading for that day.If you are not prepared on a particular day, please provide me with a note to that effect before class begins. All students are encouraged to volunteer taking part in the discussion regardless of whether or not you are assigned to be called upon.

The grade for this course will primarily be determined on the basis of performance on an open-book, in-class final exam scheduled for Tuesday, May 6th.The final exam will test your knowledge of information from the assigned reading as well as classroom lectures and discussion.

The course grade will also be determined on the basis of classroom participation and attendance. The final grade in a course may be raised or lowered one grade-step (e.g. 92% (A-) to 93% (A), depending on classroom participation. Attendance is very important, and students are requested to miss no more than 2-3 days where it is necessary. Per the rules of the law school, students who are absent for more than 20% of class in a semester will be excluded from taking the final exam, absent exceptional circumstances.

III. REQUIRED TEXTS

Carter, B.E., Trimble, P.R., Weiner, A.S., International Law, 5th ed. (Aspen Publishers, 2007) (hereinafter “Casebook”)(on course reserve in library)

Carter, B.E., International Law: Selected Documents (Aspen Publishers, 2007) (hereinafter “Casebook Supplement”) (on course reserve in library)

Murphy, S.D., Principles of International Law(Thomson/West, 2006) (hereinafter “Murphy”) (on course reserve in library)

IV.OTHER INFORMATION

The following resources are provided to enhance your understanding of the course—to be consulted at your discretion—but are not required for preparing for class or the final examination

  1. Supplementary Texts

Bederman, D., International Law Frameworks, 2d ed. (Foundation Press, 2006) (on course reserve in library)

Brownlie, I., Principles of Public International Law, 6th ed. (Oxford University Press, 2003) (on course reserve in library)

Burgenthal, T. & Murphy, S., Public International Law in a Nutshell, 4th ed. (Thomson/West, 2007) (on course reserve in library)

Cassese, A., International Law, 2d ed. (OxfordUniversity Press, 2005)

Henkin, L., Foreign Affairs and the US Constitution, 2d ed. (Oxford Clarendon Press, 1996)

Higgins, R., Problems & Process: International Law and How We Use It (Oxford Clarendon Press, 1994)

Lowe, V., International Law (OxfordUniversity Press, 2007)

Malanczuk, P., Akehurst’s Modern Introduction to International Law (Routledge, 1997)

Shaw, M., International Law, 5th ed. (CambridgeUniversity Press, 2003)

  1. Leading Law Journals

American Journal of International Law

European Journal of International Law

Harvard International Law Journal

International and Comparative Law Quarterly

Leiden Journal of International Law

NYU Journal of International Law & Politics

Yale Journal of International Law

  1. Useful Websites
American Bar Association Section of International Law:
American Society of International Law:

Electronic Information System for International Law (IL research tool):

International Bar Association:

International Court of Justice:

International Law Students Association:

United Nations:

United States Department Office of the Legal Adviser:

  1. Career Resources

Careers in International Law: A Guide to Career Paths and Internships in International Law (American Society of International Law, 2007-2008 ed.) (on course reserve in library)

International law internships/fellowships:

Swartz, S.A., Careers in International Law,3d ed. (Chicago, IL: Section of International Law and Practice, American Bar Association, 2008) (on course reserve in the library)

U.S. State Department’s career website:

V.OFFICE HOURS

Feel free to stop by during my regular office hours, which are from 3-5 p.m. on Wednesdays. If that time is not convenient for you, please send me an email or call so we can arrangefor another time and/or day. Emails with questions are always welcome.

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