The purpose of the course is to provide an introduction to the principles and norms of international law applicable to the inter-governmental organisations (IGOs). It discusses the essential topics of the law of international organisations, including powers, privileges and immunities, as well as membership rules, institutional structures, and accountability. There is a focus on the United Nations system, as the paradigmatic IGO, including the activities of the specialised agencies based in Rome. Special emphasis is placed on the interaction between universalism and regionalism. IGOs have developed into a pervasive phenomenon: a fundamental objective of the course is to develop a critical understanding of their impact vis-à-vis the current global challenges (economic and financial crises, migration, armed conflicts, disarmament, natural disasters, epidemics).
At the end of this course, students should be proficient in the following subject areas and skills:
• being familiar with the historical development and the theoretical approaches related to international organisations law
• understanding the concept of international organisation, as well as those of the legal personality and legal capacities, under international and national law.
• having knowledge of the global and regional systems
• carrying out proper analysis on selected issues
• performing legal research and writing in English in the area of international organisations law
At the end of this course, students should be proficient in the following subject areas and skills:
• being familiar with the historical development and the theoretical approaches related to international organisations law
• understanding the concept of international organisation, as well as those of the legal personality and legal capacities, under international and national law.
• having knowledge of the global and regional systems
• carrying out proper analysis on selected issues
• performing legal research and writing in English in the area of international organisations law
teacher profile teaching materials
Course Schedule
Week 1: The rise of International Organisations: history and definition
Week2: Membership, voting and funding
Week 3: International Organizations and the law of treaties
Week 4: The International legal personality
Week 5: The doctrine of powers
Week 6: Institutional law-making: a new source of international law?
Week 7: The Treaty-making powers
Week 8: Sanctions
Week 9: Military measures
Week 10: Issues of responsibility
Programme
The purpose of the course is to provide an introduction to the principles and norms of international law applicable to the inter-governmental organisations (IGOs). It discusses the essential topics of the law of international organisations, including powers, privileges and immunities, as well as membership rules, institutional structures, and accountability. There is a focus on the United Nations system, as the paradigmatic IGO, including the activities of the specialised agencies based in Rome. Special emphasis is placed on the interaction between universalism and regionalism. IGOs have developed into a pervasive phenomenon: a fundamental objective of the course is to develop a critical understanding of their impact vis-à-vis the current global challenges (economic and financial crises, migration, armed conflicts, natural disasters, epidemics).Course Schedule
Week 1: The rise of International Organisations: history and definition
Week2: Membership, voting and funding
Week 3: International Organizations and the law of treaties
Week 4: The International legal personality
Week 5: The doctrine of powers
Week 6: Institutional law-making: a new source of international law?
Week 7: The Treaty-making powers
Week 8: Sanctions
Week 9: Military measures
Week 10: Issues of responsibility
Core Documentation
See the programme of LAW OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONSType of delivery of the course
To achieve the above objectives, students will receive relevant documents (literature and case-law) to promote class discussions/debates. Experts in the field, including legal officers of the international organisations in Rome, will offer seminars on specific topics.Attendance
Attendance is compulsory.Type of evaluation
Student evaluation will be based on a short essay (2000 words) on a topic related to the law of international organizations, and a final oral interview.