Overview: Principles and institutions of international law.

Objectives: To introduce students to the nature, sources, and subjects of international law, state sovereignty, and the law governing inter-state relations (peace, war, treaties, jurisdiction).

Outcomes: Students will be able to define international law, list its sources (custom, treaties, general principles), and analyze specific domains like laws of war, territorial sovereignty, and dispute resolution. For example, they should explain how a treaty is formed and enforced (e.g. Vienna Convention), and discuss the concept of ‘state’ and recognition of governments.

Syllabus – CCSU:

1. Theoretical Foundation: Definitions of international law, its scope vs. national law.
2. Sources: (a) Custom (consistent state practice + opinio juris); (b) International conventions/treaties (e.g. UN Charter, ICCPR); (c) General principles (like equity); (d) Decisions and writings (ICJ, works of jurists).
3. Relation with Municipal Law: Monism vs. dualism theories; how India incorporates international law (Article 253, treaty overrides). Compare with British practice (doctrine of transformation).
4. State Characteristics: Concept of state, sovereignty (Westphalian); territory (land, territorial sea, airspace, continental shelf, exclusive economic zones). Acquisition/loss of territory. Recognition of states and governments.
5. Diplomacy & Treaty Law: (Covered in course but not explicitly in syllabus, but taught).
6. Use of Force & War: Laws of war (jus ad bellum vs jus in bello) – war crimes (e.g. crimes against humanity), neutrality, protection of civilians, genocide (refer to Genocide Convention, mention Nuremberg principles).
7. Sea Law: Territorial waters (12 n.m.), Contiguous zone (24 n.m.), EEZ (200 n.m.), continental shelf regimes.
8. Dispute Resolution: Pacific (negotiation, arbitration, ICJ) vs. Coercive (force illegal per UN Charter).
9. International Organizations: (At least mention UN, ICJ, maybe briefly human rights organs).

Recommended Texts:

• H.O. Aggarwal, Public International Law & HR.
• Greig D.W., International Law.
• Harris D.J., Cases & Materials on International Law.
• S.K. Kapoor, International Law.
• J.G. Starke, Introduction to International Law.

Statutes/Cases: Unlike domestic, primary sources here are conventions (e.g. United Nations Charter (1945), Geneva Conventions (armed conflict), UNCLOS for Law of Sea) and ICJ judgments (e.g. The Lotus (Turkey v. France) on jurisdiction, Nicaragua v. United States on use of force, Barcelona Traction on corporate personality).