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Université catholique de Louvain

International Law

Université catholique de Louvain via edX

Overview

International law can be considered as the law of the international community, the law that governs relations between States. But it also relates to what international organizations do and, increasingly, it concerns individuals, corporations, NGO's and other non-state actors.

As the world becomes more interdependent and more complex, and as new institutions are put in place to make international law more effective, international law has become an exciting, expanding field. Never before has it been so relied upon, used and developed. Despite their differences in size, power, culture, religion and ideologies, states rely on international law to cooperate and to coexist; they speak the language of international law and international law serves them as an important common language.

This law course will extensively rely on judgments and advisory opinions of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN).

Having acquired a basic knowledge of international law, you'll find it easier to comprehend this subject in future international law sub-fields, like international human rights, international humanitarian law or international investment law.

This course will teach you what international law is, the role it plays in the world today, how it can be used. You will also gain knowledge to help you better discern legal arguments within the flow of international news and reports.

This course is part of the International Law MicroMasters Program that is designed to give learners a critical understanding of how international relations between States and individuals are dealt with, regarding the law.

Syllabus

1. Introducing International Law
1.1. What is International law
1.2. A brief history
1.3. International law as a common language

2. Setting the International Law Stage
2.1. States
2.2. International Organizations
2.3. United Nations

3. Making International Law (part 1)
3.1. Introduction: the theory of sources
3.2. The problem of International Law-making
3.3. Customary International Law

4. Making International Law (part 2)
4.1. International Treaties
4.2. The Validity of Treaties
4.3. General Principles
4.4. Unilateral Acts
4.5. Soft-Law

5. Applying International Law
5.1. Binding force of International Law
5.2. Interpreting International Law
5.3. Conflicting obligations
5.4. Applying International Law, including in domestic law

6. Claiming responsibility
6.1. The Notion of Responsibility and the Concept of Internationally Wrongful Act
6.2. Attribution of Internationally Wrongful Act
6.3. Responsibility and New Obligations
6.4. Invoking Responsibility
6.5. Countermeasures

7. Seeking Justice
7.1. Pacific Settlement of Disputes
7.2. Arbitration
7.3. The International Court of Justice (Jurisdiction)
7.4. The International Court of Justice (Procedure)
7.5. The International Criminal Court
7.6. International Immunities before Domestic Courts

8. Upholding Peace
8.1. The Outlawry of War
8.2. Self-Defence
8.3. Collective Security
8.4. The Use of Force and the United Nations

Taught by

Pierre d’Argent

Reviews

4.3 rating, based on 12 Class Central reviews

3.9 rating at edX based on 17 ratings

Start your review of International Law

  • Excellent course, but be prepared to do a lot of intense, detailed legal reading and weighing of very fine distinctions. Don't be discouraged by low scores early on - the first lectures are pretty abstract, but it gets more concrete. And it's fasci…
  • Anonymous
    This is a stunning, intensive course. Think about 10+ hours a week if you really want to get maximum benefit, by for example extra reading. This course opened up a much improved understanding of the world. I would recommend copying and pasting all text/tutorials into one "booklet", for reading again and again. The professor is on top of his game and unlike many MOOC, shows continuing interest in the discussion fora. His doctorate staff also provide support. I recommend doing the Louvaine University's Human Rights Course after this one, also offered through EDX. Same comments about the high standard apply.
  • Anonymous
    A little bit too long sometimes but this MOOC is wonderfully made, attractive and interessant a lot ! Thank you Professeur d'Argent !
  • Anonymous
    The subject international law is complicated and hard to understand. The course is not designed to help students, the instructor only reads the texts in very boring way. So no motivation ! They don’t give a second chance on quizzes and their questions are hard and tricky plus their final essays are graded by incompetent people who only focus on a grade and by the end you don’t pass nor get a certificate due to the low percentage. So, if you If really want to learn about international law stay away from this school and look for a high concept flexible.
  • Dr Michael White
    An extremely interesting course. The layout was excellent and the downloadable resources first-rate. The case studies were hard, but over time the most important legal terms became clear. The greatest value was how international law has improved over time. The slow, steady and inexorable progress being made in relationships between States. Excellent insights into how the UN Security Council; the International Court of Justice; and the International Criminal Court function. It forms part of a micro-Masters course from Louvain, and Professor Pierre d'Argent is excellent. Difficult, but I recommend it to serious students. The hardest part for me was the timed tests: having a poor internet connection could be a problem.
  • Profile image for Zahoor Ahmed
    Zahoor Ahmed
    I have learnt so many things about international law. Because its very important for me as a student of law to learn international law
  • Profile image for Hamza Khan
    Hamza Khan
    In this era of quarantine in the wake of COVID-19, learning online is really a blessing. International law is an important branch of law especially for students of law as they can have an opportunity to grasp the major concepts. This course ranges from the public international law to the private international, from sources of international law to its application. This is why I am really delighted to initiate this course. I am optimistic that it will help me alot and will keep me engaged in this hard time.
  • Javan M
    Which university is associated with this course. It seems like it is being offered by edX with no university associated.
  • I would like to give it a try , because I have been looking for a law courses online am so glad to be part of this
  • Profile image for Ana Gaby
    Ana Gaby
  • Anonymous
  • Erasmia Birmpila

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