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Public International Law II - LEG248 Fall 2026
Course
Libor Lukasek
Public international law includes standards and rules generally recognized as binding among nations, although international organizations and even individuals are becoming important players in this field. International law governs almost all areas of international relations, including diplomacy, war, trade and human rights, and its main purpose is to create a consistent and reliable system of cooperation and coexistence of nations.
The course of Public International Law II follows on the course Public International Law I. While the previous course focused on the so-called general part of public international law (concept, sources, subjects, rules, responsibility, enforcement, dispute resolution), this course aims to give students a basic overview of individual areas forming a so-called special part of public international law. Specifically: regulation of the status of citizens or foreigners, international human rights law, international refugee law, international humanitarian law, international criminal law, the legal regime of state territory and international spaces, the law of the sea, international environmental law and international economic law.
READING MATERIALS:
Required Materials
• Aust, Anthony (2010). Handbook of International Law. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Kaczorowska-Ireland, A. (2015). Public international law. Abingdon: Routledge.
• Cassese, A. (2014). International law. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Recommended Materials
• Cali, B. (2010). International law for international relations. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Dixon, M. (2013). Textbook on international law. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Shaw, M.N. (2021). International Law. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press
• Smith, R. (2014). Textbook on international human rights. 6th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Here is the course outline:
1. LESSON 1
Sep 3 8am .. 10:45am, AAU Campus, Main building, Room 3.10
Topic: Introduction, revision of the course Public International Law I Description: Class information, discussion of class expectations. Brainstorm discussion about the issue. Reading: None Assignments/deadlines: Division of power point presentation topics and short speeches topics |
2. LESSON 2
Sep 10 8am .. 10:45am, AAU Campus, Main building, Room 3.10
Status of the population and individuals Description: definition, role and specifics, instruments, organs, mechanisms Reading: Aust_Ch.1 or Cassese_Ch. 7 Assignments/deadlines: PowerPoint presentations, short speeches, home study to prepare the review presentations Presentation: Nutsa Tavartkiladze: How effectively does international law protect the rights and legal status of stateless persons? |
3. LESSON 3
Sep 17 8am .. 10:45am, AAU Campus, Main building, Room 3.10
Protection of human rights (instruments, organs, mechanisms) What is the human right? Universal and regional system of human rights protection; outline of the principal political and civil rights; general qualification to rights; enforcement of human rights. Reading: Aust_Ch. 11 or Kaczorowska-Ireland_Ch.12. Assignments/deadlines: PowerPoint presentation, short speech, home study to prepare the review presentations Short Speeches: Nial McDermott |
4. LESSON 4
Sep 24 8am .. 10:45am, AAU Campus, Main building, Room 3.10
Topic: Nationality in International law, refugees, asylum in international law Description: Nationality – introduction, dual nationality, citizenship, statelessness, Legal persons, diplomatic protection; refugee – definition, application for refugees’ status, exceptions, protection of refugees, state obligations; instrument of asylum in international law, diplomatic asylum Reading: Aust_Ch. 8. Assignments/deadlines: PowerPoint presentations, short speeches, home study to prepare the review presentations Presentation: Tim Engelmann Short Speech: Sofia Reken Tim Engelmann |
5. LESSON 5
Oct 1 8am .. 10:45am, AAU Campus, Main building, Room 3.10
Topic: International humanitarian law (armed conflict, protection of victims of armed conflict – Geneva Law, the Hague Law) Description: Use of force rules and public international law regulation Armed conflict, Protection of victim armed conflict (the Hague Law, Geneva Law), humanitarian intervention and collective UN security. Reading: Aust, Ch. 12. or Kaczorowska-Ireland_Ch.17. Assignments/deadlines: PowerPoint presentations, short speeches, home study to prepare the review presentations Presentation: Niall McDermott Short speech: Thor Goul Fussing |
6. LESSON 6
Oct 8 8am .. 10:45am, AAU Main Building (3.10)
Topic: International criminal law Description: Introduction – international criminal law as a part of international legal system; International crimes; International Tribunals; International Criminal Court (ICC); Extradition; Mutual Legal Assistance. Reading: Aust_Ch.13 or Cassese_Ch 21. Assignments/deadlines: PowerPoint presentations, short speeches, home study to prepare the review presentations Presentation: Michael David Farnum Short speech: Nutsa Tavartkiladze |
7. LESSON 7
Oct 15 8am .. 9am, AAU Main Building (3.10)
Topic: Mid-Term Exam Description: Testing. Exam will be in-class paper tests in written form combining multiply choice and false and true questions (closed book - question, 4 possibilities, only 1 correct answer). In case studies, students solve real-life situations in the field law. Reading: All materials studied during classes 2- 6 Assignments/Deadlines: None |
8. LESSON 8
Oct 22 8am .. 10:45am, AAU Main Building (3.10)
Topic: State bodies for international relations Description: States as the main subjects influencing international law; their responsibilities and influence; State bodies in the field of international relations and law - description, their roles, functions, rights and responsibilities Reading: Kaczorowska-Ireland_Ch.5. Assignments/deadlines: PowerPoint presentations, short speeches, home study to prepare the review presentations Presentation: Reken, Sofia Short speech: Zaben, Hala |