TAMIL NADU NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY
(A University established under the Tamil Nadu Act No. 9 of 2012)
Dindigul Main Road, Navalurkuttapattu
Tiruchirappalli 620 027
Tamil Nadu, India
B.A. LL.B. (H) / B.COM. LL.B. (H)
COURSE SYLLABUS
PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW
Course Objectives
This course intends to introduce students to the basic principles and foundations of public
international law with its contemporary relevance. The course also covers subjects and objects,
sources of international law and the key role played by institutions; national, regional and
international. The course also demonstrates the working of international legal systems with a
wide range of issues such as, self-determination, state succession, nuclear non-proliferation and
permanent sovereignty and exploitation of resources in international law. The course also covers
in recent developments in international maritime law and outer space law. Students of the course
are encouraged to critically evaluate the position and relevance of international law in the
international politics. The students are also encouraged to evaluate past and current
developments in international law by referring to various judicial decisions
Learning Outcomes
● Students will be able to show their knowledge of sources and evolution of international
law.
● Students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of legal status of State and
Individual as a subject of International law.
● Students shall be able to understand and appreciate the reasons for certain international
activities.
Teaching Methods
● Lecture Method.
● Discussion on certain News Reports.
● Case Study method
MODULE 1
Definition - Basis and Nature - Public International Law and Private International Law - Sources
of International Law - Custom and Treaties - Codification - International Law Commission -
Definition of Treaty - Kinds of Treaties - Formation of Treaties - Reservation - Obligation of
States to Treaties - Interpretation of Treaties - Suspension and Termination of Treaties -
Relationship between International Law & Municipal Law - Theories and State Practice.
MODULE 2
Subjects of International law - Rights, Duties and Obligations - Sovereignty of States -
Recognition - Theories - Kinds and legal effects - Recognition of State and Government - State
Responsibility - Nationality - Acquisition and loss of Nationality - Asylum - Extradition -
Territorial Sovereignty - Modes of acquisition and loss of territory - State Jurisdiction - State
Succession and liability.
MODULE 3
State Territory: Diplomatic Law - Agents Consular, Immunities and Privileges - Refugee Law -
International Humanitarian Law
Law of the Sea: United Nations Convention on Law of Sea, 1982 - Different Kinds of Maritime
Zones - Rights of Landlocked States - International Tribunal for the Law of Sea - International
Sea Bed Authority
Air & Space Law: - Five Freedoms of Air - Air Craft Hijacking - International Civil Aviation
Organisation.
MODULE 4
Origin, Nature & Scope of International Organisations - League of Nations - United Nations -
Purpose and Principle - Principal Organs - Subsidiary Organs - Specialised Agencies - WTO and
Trade Law - World Bank and Economic Law - Settlement of International Disputes -
International Tribunals.
MODULE 5
Regional Organisation - Association of South East Asian Nations - Organisation of American
States - Organisation for African Union - European Union - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
- Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development - Regional Courts and
Administrative Tribunals
Essential Readings:
1. Malcom N. Shaw, An introduction to International Law, Cambridge University Press, 7 th
Edition (18 September 2014)
2. I. A. Sharer, Starke’sInternational Law, Oxford University Press, India, 11 th Revised Edition
(Reprinted) (2015)
3. Ian Brownlie, Principles of International Law, Oxford University Press, 8 th Edition (6
February 2013)
4. Martin Dixon, International Law, Oxford University Press, 7th Edition (10 June 2013)
5. D. J. Harris, Cases and Material on International Law, Sweet & Maxwell, 7th Revised Edition
(25 June 2010)
6. Martin Dixon, Robert Mccrory and Williams, Cases and Materials on International
Law,Oxford University Press, 5 th Edition (14 July 2011)
Additional Readings:
1. Oppenheim, International Law, Oxford University Press, 9 th Edition (19 June 2008)
2. Brierly, International Law, Andrew Clapham, 7th Edition (August 2012)
3. Georg Schwarzenberger, International Law, Stevens & Sons, 3rd Edition (1971)
4. Antonio Cassese, International Law, Oxford University Press, 2 nd Edition (02 December
2005)
5. R. P. Anand, Salient Documents in International Law, Banyan, 1st Edition (1994)
6. R.P. Anand, New States in International Law, Hope India, Revised 2nd Edition (2008)
7. Philippe Sands, Bowett’s Law of International Institutions, Sweet & Maxwell, 6th Revised
Edition (June 2009)
8. Blackstone, Documents on International Law and Human Rights, Alison Bisset, 10th Edition
(August 2016)
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