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030712 PUE Exercise in International Law for Beginners (2025S)

2.00 ECTS (1.00 SWS), SPL 3 - Rechtswissenschaften
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle
Th 13.03. 10:00-11:00 Hörsaal U14 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 56 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Thursday 20.03. 10:00 - 11:00 Hörsaal U14 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Thursday 03.04. 10:00 - 11:00 Hörsaal U14 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Thursday 10.04. 10:00 - 11:00 Hörsaal U14 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Thursday 08.05. 10:00 - 11:00 Hörsaal U14 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Thursday 15.05. 10:00 - 11:00 Hörsaal U14 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Thursday 22.05. 10:00 - 11:00 Hörsaal U14 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Thursday 05.06. 10:00 - 11:00 Hörsaal U14 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Thursday 12.06. 10:00 - 11:00 Hörsaal U14 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This course is a practical course of continuous assessment that helps students prepare for “FÜM I”, particularly for IREWI students who write this exam in English. The course is focussed on the structure of international law – principle rules of the international legal system, the sources of international law, the actors in international law, basic rules of interstate relations and liability under international law.

Intended Learning outcomes
1. Students understand the principles and peculiarities of the international legal system, including international dispute settlement and secondary rules of international law (conceptual knowledge).
2. Students can identify and characterise the sources of international law, that is:
a. Students can explain the procedural matters around the formation and validity of international treaties (factual knowledge – application and analysis);
b. Students can interpret an international treaty (process-orientated knowledge);
c. Students can identify jus cogens norms in customary international law (factual knowledge – comprehension);
d. Students understand the range of other sources of international law.
3. Students can define, explain and discuss the position and role of different actors in international law.
a. Students can analyse the international legal system from the starting point that it is based on states’ consent;
b. Students can apply the rules for recognition of statehood;
c. Students can discuss the structure of the United Nations; and
d. Students can give examples of areas of law in which individuals are the focus.
4. Students understand a few of the basic rules of interstate relations:
a. Students can critically reflect on the use of armed force in international law.
5. Students understand the consequences of an actor breaching public international law and can:
a. compare means of international dispute settlement; and
b. explain and apply the law of state responsibility.
6. Students are prepared for the written exam “FÜM I” on public international law, in English.

Assessment and permitted materials

Students are expected to prepare for each weekly class and to engage with their peers in class discussions in each class.

Students are expected to attend all classes. A signature sheet will be passed around each class. If a student is not absent for more than two classes, the course cannot be completed. There is no need to notify the lecturers about absences within this limit.

Students can expect assessment throughout the course, as detailed below, including being allocated to one unit for a short written assessment and one unit for answering questions in class. The final test is an online test via Moodle on 12 June 2025, instead of the class on 12 June.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The scope of the FÜM I exam.

For the short written assessment:
1 Very good Student defines and explains key concepts, with accurate reference to the relevant authorities, gives apt examples of cases where appropriate to demonstrate their understanding of the law, and notes contentious points of discussion
2 Good Student defines and explains key concepts, with accurate reference to the relevant authorities.
3 Satisfactory Student defines and explains all key concepts covered in the required reading
4 Sufficient Student has engaged with some, but not all, of the material, and is missing some core points
5 Fail Student does not complete a full page and has not followed the instructions as to formalities

For the oral assessment:
1 Very good Student’s oral answers are thorough, well-thought out, with reference to examples, clear and concise
2 Good Student understands the material and clearly and accurately discusses it
3 Satisfactory Student accurately identifies and reflects the relevant law; student shows some understanding of how the rules relate to each other
4 Sufficient Student shows they have engaged with the material
5 Fail Student is unprepared and unwilling to engage.

For the home test:
1 Very good 85%-100%
2 Good 70%-85%
3 Satisfactory 60%-69%
4 Sufficient 50%-59%
5 Fail Less than 50% overall

The student's three grades from each assessment will be weighted as follows to create an overall course grade: 25% short written assessment; 15% oral assessment; 60% home test.

Examination topics

The scope of the FÜM I/IREWI exam.

Reading list

The course is based on the English version of the teaching materials for the FÜM I/IREWI. It also relies on An Introduction to Public International Law by Cecily Rose et al (Cambridge University Press 2022), which students can access on u:search.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Th 30.01.2025 12:05