After this course:
- Students will be able to explain, using examples, how international law can be seen as an exclusionary social practice;
- Students will be able to demonstrate how different legal philosophers reflect upon the exclusionary nature of international law;
- Students can interpret current events in international law using the philosophical frameworks discussed in this class;
- Students will be able to formulate a principled ethical position on how to act in their civic and professional lives.
- Students will have practiced communicating their well-reasoned opinions on international law to both an academic and general public.
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International law often claims a relation to universal principles recognized by ‘all civilized nations’ and refers to a shared humanity to justify its existence. Yet, if we look at the practice of international law another story emerges: one of exclusion and empire. This course explores how international law can be seen as a social practice that benefits the interests of some while contributing to the exclusion of others. Subsequently, we explore which ethical implications this assumption might have for our participation in the practice and study of international law.
Each seminar meeting will give students the opportunity to engage with texts from critical legal and political philosophers, such as Judith Butler, Antony Anghie, Martti Koskenniemi and Anne Orford. We will discuss these texts in connection with current developments on the international stage (for example relating to terrorism, globalization, gender-based violence and the international refugee crisis). Students will learn to critically reflect on international law and will be encouraged to develop an ethical position on their role in practicing international law. Together and individually we will practice communicating our well-reasoned opinions to both an academic and general audience.
This module is open to all students interested in reflecting critically on international law and their role in practicing it. No prior knowledge of philosophy is needed.
General information
In ‘Capita Selecta – Selected Topics of Public International Law’, students will broaden their knowledge of international law by taking mini-modules which are intertwined with on-going research projects carried out by the lecturers. The course is divided into four sub-periods. During the first sub-period (week 7), students will write a research proposal for their master’s thesis. During the three other periods, students will take five different modules out of a range of options offered. Each module will last for three weeks and have, in principle, 10 contact hours. Within the short period of time, students will familiarize themselves with current topics and challenges that have not been addressed in depth in the General Course or other courses of the specialized tracks. Through the Capita Selecta course, students will further develop their skills to critically analyze case-law and existing literature, write short papers, present findings, and provide feedback to other students.
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