International Law and Diplomatic Rights

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved

Course Description Version:5.00

Study Course Accepted:09.02.2024 10:44:59

Study Course Information
Course Code:		PZK_097		LQF level:		Level 7
Credit Points:		5.00		ECTS:		7.50
Branch of Science:		Law; International Rights		Target Audience:		Political Science
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:		Aleksandrs Fillers
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:		Faculty of Social Sciences
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:		Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szfrsu[pnkts]lv
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		12	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		24
Classes (count)		8	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		16
Total Contact Hours								40
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
General knowledge about the principles and concepts in theory of law, as well as politics and law.
Objective:
To provide basic knowledge in public international law, clarify the main principles of contemporary international law, to explain reasoning of practice and interpretation of law in interstate relations, as well as to provide understanding of the principles of European Union law and institutional activity.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Introduction. Definition, sources, principles of international law. Historical development of international law.			Classes		1.00	auditorium
2	State as a subject of international law.			Classes		1.00	auditorium
3	System and sources of international law. Customary law. Subjects of international law.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
4	Origin and termination of States. Succession of States. International Treaty Law.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
5	International Treaty Law (continued).			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
6	Legal bases of the European Union. Treaties as a basis for EU integration. From the Treaty of Rome to the Treaty of Lisbon. ICG (Intergovernmental Conference) and procedures for the adoption and revision of treaties.			Classes		1.00	auditorium
7	EU and national competence in initiating legislation. Exclusive, shared and coordinating competence in the legislative process.			Classes		1.00	auditorium
8	Primary and secondary legislation. The EU legal system and its suis generis nature. Regulations, directives, decisions. Binding and non-binding/ recommendatory legislation. Direct application of EU law by Member States.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
9	The European Commission as the initiator, functions and composition of EU legislation. Nomination and procedures of EC commissioners. EC monitoring functions. Subsidiarity principle. Proportionality principle.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
10	EU Council and European Council. Inter-institutional relations and balance in the functioning of national and supranational institutions. Decision making by the EU Council. Council conclusions – Political agreement between EU Member States. The European Parliament and its role in EU legislation. Role of EU ideological/ political groups in EU legislation. Co-decision procedure. Trialogue.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
11	EU external relations. Decision - making procedures and institutional accountability. External Action Service. High Representative of the EU. Specificity of EU Council decisions in the field of external relations.			Classes		1.00	auditorium
12	A practical exercise for simulating an international crisis in EU institutions. Role and involvement of the EEAS, EC, European Council, EU Council.			Classes		1.00	auditorium
13	Relationship between EU law and international law.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
14	UN and UN system organizations. UN Security Council. UN Court of Justice (ICJ). Multilateralism. International Criminal Court. Permanent Court of Arbitration.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
15	Human Rights.			Classes		1.00	auditorium
16	Human rights in practice.			Classes		1.00	auditorium
17	International responsibility. Diplomatic protection.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
18	Use of force and peaceful resolution of international disputes.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
19	Humanitarian Law and International Criminal Law.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
Students attend lectures and classes, prepare two essays and defend an individually prepared reports.
Assessment Criteria:
o Participation in classes and seminars – 20% o Case study – 25% o Report – 25% o Exam – 30%
Final Examination (Full-Time):		Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:		Students will understand principal concepts of international law, and will be able to find appropriate law norms for specific situations, evaluate the legal situation, and compare various law institutions.
Skills:		Students will be able to work with a large amount of information, which applies to specific legal situations, apply the use of legal interpretation methods, apply the use of international legal terms, and present their opinions.
Competencies:		Students will be able to apply their knowledge in practice, evaluate situations from specific legal aspects, provide arguments in disputes and logically explain legal situations from the point of view of international law.
Bibliography
No.	Reference
Required Reading
1	J. Klabbers, International Law, 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press, 2017.
2	A. Orakhelashvili, Akehurst’s Modern Introduction to International Law, 8th ed., Routledge, 2019.
3	M. Cini, European Union Politics, 4th ed., Oxford University Press, 2019.
4	J. Dugard, Diplomatic Protection, Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law, 2009.
Additional Reading
1	A. Lulle, Rokasgrāmata par ANO, 2005.
2	N. Nugent, M. Rhinard, “The Political roles of the European Commision”, Journal of European Integration, 2019, 41:2, p. 203-220.
Other Information Sources
1	Video on ordinary legislative procedure