International Law

The United States does not exist in a vacuum. It routinely shapes and is affected by things outside our national borders. International law "which operates beyond the jurisdiction of any single state" plays a significant role in structuring its interactions.

This course covers the basic architecture of and core concepts and doctrines in international law. We will discuss the sources of authority in international law, the rights and duties of the participants in international law, and the mechanisms by which international law is incorporated into U.S. law. We will then build on that foundation by examining how international law regulates specific domains of human activity: the global economy, environmental protection, human rights, and military force.