Course Description: This course equips diplomats and international professionals with essential legal knowledge for navigating global affairs. It covers the principles, sources, and enforcement mechanisms of international law, including treaties, diplomatic immunities, the law of the sea, international human rights law, and dispute resolution. Participants will analyze real-world cases, understand jurisdictional complexities, and interpret legal language relevant to bilateral and multilateral diplomacy. Emphasis is placed on the practical application of legal norms in foreign service contexts.
Course Length: 6 weeks (36 total instructional hours)
Proficiency Level: Advanced
Prerequisite: Completion of a lower-intermediate ESL course or equivalent language proficiency
Course Objectives:- Define key sources and subjects of international law.
- Explain the role of treaties, conventions, and customary law.
- Interpret the legal status and privileges of diplomatic agents.
- Evaluate the jurisdiction of international courts and tribunals.
- Analyze state sovereignty and its legal boundaries.
- Apply legal reasoning to international disputes and negotiations.
- Differentiate between international human rights and humanitarian law.
- Examine the legal framework governing consular and diplomatic relations.
- Assess how international law affects national policy and foreign affairs.
- Solve legal case studies relevant to real-world diplomatic missions.