The United States and the International Legal System

This course explores some of the many ways in which the United States and the U.S. legal system operate within a broader, international legal system. The course will introduce students to key concepts and debates in areas such as public international law; U.S. foreign relations law; and the use, application or enforcement of international law in U.S. courts. This course will not, however, provide a comprehensive doctrinal survey of any of these areas, each of which is usually an upper-level course unto itself. Rather, it draws on samples from each of them to introduce students to the major theoretical approaches and policy debates. Special emphasis will be paid to issues related to national defense and security, international trade, and human rights.