International Law and Diplomacy – JURI 660

Course Description

This course focuses on the study of international treaties, such as the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. It also analyzes the place of customary international law in the regulation of diplomatic relations. It explores the close interaction and interrelation between international law and diplomacy.

Rationale

The study of the interrelations between international law and diplomacy is very important in understanding how the norms of international law are implemented in the relations among sovereign states. This is especially seen in the functioning of international organizations, in which diplomats constantly use the language of international law to resolve international disputes. This course enables the student to learn the interactions between international law and diplomacy by using international negotiation simulations, which is one of the most important skills of international lawyers and diplomats.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to submit a thread in response to the provided prompt for each Discussion. Each thread must be 400–500 words, demonstrate course-related knowledge, integrate biblical principles, and include at least 3 citations. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 150 words and include at least 1 citation. All citations must follow current Bluebook format.

Open Research Memorandum Assignments (3)

The student will write a research-based paper in current Bluebook format that focuses on 1 of the main cases in the course.

Open Research Memorandum: Outline Assignment

The student will submit an outline of the major points and subject matter of the memorandum. The Outline must be at least 900 words. The student is not required to include any sources in the Outline. However, if the student chooses to include sources, he or she must cite them in current Bluebook format.

Open Research Memorandum: Draft Assignment

The student will submit a draft of the memorandum. The Draft must be at least 2,000 words, include at least 10 scholarly sources other than the course textbook and the Bible, and follow current Bluebook format. The Draft must include an introduction, outline, main body, conclusion, and bibliography. The word count includes in-text citations and the outline.

Open Research Memorandum: Final Assignment

The student will submit his or her final memorandum. The final memorandum must be at least 3,500 words, include at least 15 scholarly sources other than the course textbook and the Bible, and follow current Bluebook format. The final memorandum must include a title page, introduction, outline, main body, conclusion, and bibliography. The word count includes in-text citations but not the outline.

Note: LL.M students must add an additional 2,500 words of writing in their final memorandum. This is a Pass/Fail component of this assignment. This is not required of JM students.

Simulation Memorandum Assignments (3)

The student will participate in a simulation exercise designed by the instructor and will write 3 memorandums of at least 500 words each in current Bluebook format. The topics of the memorandums and the country of analysis will be consistent with the simulation exercise and assigned by the instructor.

The quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned Module: Week. The quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 5 multiple-choice questions, and have a 25-minute time limit.

Quizzes (3)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned Module: Week. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes; contain 10 multiple-choice, true/false, and short-answer questions; and have a 1-hour time limit.