Public international law

The course introduces students to the foundations of public international law [PIL]. International law is not a branch of Belgian law - such as public law, commercial law, or labour law - but rather an autonomous legal order, with its own distinct logic, shaped in large part by the absence of a universal political authority capable of enforcing legal norms. A central theme of the course is the inherent tension within PIL between the aspiration to promote universal standards of justice (what we shall call ethics) and political realities driven by state interests and power dynamics (what we shall call politics).

The course pursues two main objectives: to provide students with the methodological tools to identify and interpret international legal rules; and to equip them with an analytical framework for understanding both the potential and the limitations of the international legal order.

The goal of the course is not for students to passively learn or memorize rules in the abstract, but to develop the ability to understand, critically analyse and apply them in practical contexts. To this end, the course departs from the traditional ex cathedra model of teaching. Students will not be expected to commit an extensive syllabus to memory and reproduce excerpts during exams, concentrating their efforts solely in the examination period. Instead, they will be required to actively use the analytical tools provided in the course - a process which calls for consistent study and practice throughout the semester.
 

Within this framework, the PIL course carries 10 ECTS credits, distributed as follows:

- 4 credits for theory;

- 4 credits for personal study and independent work;

- 2 credits for practical exercises.

As a reminder, one ECTS credit corresponds to approximately 30 hours of student work. Accordingly, this course represents a total workload of roughly 300 hours spread across the semester.

Références, bibliographie et lectures recommandées

The course is based on a textbook that provides both clarity and consistency in defining the subject matter. A thorough reading of this book is essential for success in the course.

Olivier Corten, François Dubuisson, Vaios Koutroulis and Anne Lagerwall, A Critical Introduction to International Law, Brussels, Éditions de l’Université de Bruxelles, 2nd edition, 2024, 574 p.

The textbook is complemented by a series of videos in which the authors briefly summarize the main points of each chapter and illustrate them with concrete examples not included in the book. These videos are designed to demonstrate how the rules and principles studies in theory can be applied to current event - an approach that reflects the expectations of the exam.

The textbook is also available in French and students may use either version for the purpose of this course. However, we strongly recommend using the English version to ensure consistency in the use of technical terms.

The following texts may be used as complementary resources, though they should not replace the core textbook. Both texts will be presented during the introductory session:

• Alexander Orakhelashvili, Akehurst's Modern Introduction to International Law, London, Routledge, 9th edition, 2022, 694 p.
• Vaughan Lowe, International Law, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2007, 298 p.

In addition, students must have access to the primary instruments of international law covered in the course (a complete list is available on the virtual university). Staying continuously informed about current international events is also essential. Students are expected to follow international news on a daily basis through newspapers or other media resources.

The UK newspaper The Guardian offers excellent coverage of international law. Its dedicated section can be accessed here: https://www.theguardian.com/law/international-law.

Support(s) de cours

• Université virtuelle

Informations complémentaires

The Virtual University must be used consistently throughout the course, and students should ensure they have access to it as early as possible. The platform hosts a range of essential resources, including the course syllabus, videos, materials for practical exercises, and a selection of past exam questions with solutions. The platform also provides a link to the Facebook page of ULB's Centre for International Law (CDI), which publishes analyses and updates on current developments in international law - resources that are often useful for exam preparation. In addition, the platform is the designated tool for the mandatory submission of written assignments for tutorial sessions.

Contacts

Students may approach the professor before or after class, or arrange appointments if needed. Except for class delegates addressing general matters, email contact is discouraged due to the large number of students. Direct, in-class communication remains the most efficient method.

Prof. Mario Prost: mario.prost@ulb.be

Harry Le Moine: harry.le.moine@ulb.be

Each week, a link to a Padlet will be available on the Virtual University, where you can post any questions about that week's learning materials or sessions. Questions will be addressed either during class or on the Virtual University, as appropriate.

Campus

UMons

Méthode(s) d'évaluation

• Examen écrit

Examen écrit

Exam format:

The exam will primarily consist of a case study similar to those in the tutorial sessions, along with two comprehension questions based on the textbook and ex cathedra lectures. It will be a closed-book exam, except for the permitted international law instruments. Plagiarism or fraud will result in disciplinary action.

Evaluation criteria include reasoning and argumentation in public international law, the ability to cite relevant legal instruments, and references to jurisprudence.

Construction de la note (en ce compris, la pondération des notes partielles)

First session (January):

• In-class participation during tutorial sessions: 25% of the final grade
• Written exam in January: 75% of the final grade

Unjustified absence from more than one practical exercise will automatically result in a grade of "absent" for the course in the first session. In this case, the student must retake the exam in the second session, with a score of 0/5 for exercises. A valid grade (≥10/20) from the previous year may be carried over.

Second session (August-September):

• For students with ≥10/20 in practical exercises: the same assessment method as the first session applies.
• For students with <10/20 in practical exercises, the exam will count for 100% of the final grade.
• Students with a grade of 0/20 due to unjustified absences will retain this grade.

Langue(s) d'évaluation

• anglais