INTL 5530: International Law

Course Description

This course surveys trends and practices that are part of the process of adjudication across national boundaries. Some historical background is provided. The course will focus on major international legal themes and look at historic and current cases and international legal norms.

Course Objectives

Listed below are the long-term objectives you should be striving towards as a participant AND contributor in this course:

Define and explain international legal terms of use through graduate level written work and discussion.
Read, understanding and critique major international legal issues and topics through graduate level written work and discussion.
Analyze and comment on international legal cases through graduate level written work and discussion.
Identify and apply international legal norms and topics to current situations and cases through graduate level written work and discussion.

Prerequisites

It is assumed the student has adequate writing and analytical skills. Also, as for all Internet courses, the student must be disciplined and self-motivated.

Course Materials

Please go to MBS Direct to find the appropriate textbooks for this course.

Please be aware when purchasing your textbooks that the International versions of the text may differ from the Domestic (North American) version required for your course.

Click here for more information about textbooks for online courses..

Course Activities

The course will be conducted entirely online. Students are expected to participate in all course activities as assigned by the instructor. Course activities may include extensive reading, papers, presentations, discussions, quizzes, and/or group projects.

Readings:
This course is reading intensive, as the text is an exhaustive narrative of international law up until 2003. The text is not a U.S. law school case textbook, as it does not contain texts of original cases or treaties followed by questions concerning the cases or treaties. It is a narrative with quality footnotes concerning the primary sources (treaties and cases). In addition, you will need to read articles and treaties supplementing the textbook.

Discussions:
Student "active" participation in online discussions is mandatory. It is expected that students' comments should integrate their own experience with the topic. Discussion dialogue should always be substantive, thoughtful, respectful, and meaningful with the instructor and other students. Discussion questions could be based on any course material such as weekly assignments and readings.

Case Brief:
You will be expected to read one international legal case and "brief" the case.

Participation:
The instructor reserves the right to drop any student enrolled in the course who fails to participate in class appropriately, e.g., nonparticipation in discussions and/or failure to submit assignments.

Policy Statements

The course policies follow Webster University policies including online class policies. Non-participation in online discussions and activities will affect your grade. Remember plagiarism concerns are part of this online course and the University's overall academic dishonesty policies. Plagiarism is use of another's idea, opinion, publications, writings, information in one's own publication without proper credit to the original source of the idea, opinion, writing, or information. Please cite whenever appropriate.

Webster University Attendance, Conduct, and Academic Dishonesty policies:

Course Attendance:
The University reserves the right to drop students who do not attend (through participation online) class the first week of the term/semester. Students are expected to participate in all class sessions of every course. In the case of unavoidable absence of participation, the student must contact the instructor. The student is subject to appropriate academic penalty for incomplete or unacceptable makeup work, or for excessive or unexcused absences as evidence by not participating on line. In a face-to-face class, generally, a student who misses more than one four-hour course period (per course) without a documented military or medical excuse and advanced permission from the instructor should withdraw from the class. You must participate every week of the online class discussion and activities.

Conduct:
Students enrolling in a graduate program at Webster University assume the obligation of conducting themselves in a manner compatible with the University's function as an educational institution. Misconduct for which students are subject to discipline may be divided into the following categories:

All forms of dishonesty, cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the University. Obstruction or disruption of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary procedures, or other University activities or of other authorized activities on University premises.

Classroom and Online Disruption:
Behavior occurring within the academic arena, including but not limited to classroom disruption or obstruction of teaching, inappropriate behavior within an online classroom, is within the jurisdiction of Academic Affairs. In cases of alleged online, campus and/or classroom disruption or obstruction, a faculty member and/or administrator may take immediate action to restore order and/or to prevent further disruption (e.g., removal of student[s] from class or other setting). Faculty members have original jurisdiction to address the immediacy of a situation, as they deem appropriate. When necessary and appropriate, Public Safety and/or the local [or military] police may be contacted to assist with restoring peace and order. Faculty response is forwarded to the academic dean (or his or her designee) for review and, if necessary, further action. Further action might include permanent removal from the course. Repeated offenses could lead to removal from the program and/or the University.

Students who cheat or plagiarize may receive a failing grade for the course in which the cheating or plagiarism took place. Students who engage in any of the above misconducts may be subject to dismissal from the University on careful consideration by the executive vice president of the University or his designee. To the extent that penalties for any of these misconducts (e.g., theft or destruction of property) are prescribed by law, the University will consider appropriate action under such laws. Students are subject to the Student Code of Conduct and Judicial Procedure described in the Online Student Handbook.

Theft of or damage to property of the University is prohibited.

Remember:
This online class is an academic forum. Please do not use abusive or inappropriate language within this online classroom. Please be respectful of all in the class when communicating within this online classroom. Please do not use this online classroom for personal communication. We discuss international topics and laws that are critical of countries, states and nations. All countries may at one time have violated international law and have been sanctioned by others. If you read about the country of your nationality violating international law, do not take it personally.

This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.

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