Introduction to International Law from Udemy

Are you a student at university about to delve into the realm of international relations, trade and politics? Or perhaps you are curious about how hundreds of different cultures form their own country and how they all relate to one another. Having a basic grasp of International Law is fundamental to understanding your field of study and to understanding the world we live in.

This course is designed to give lawyers, law students or just generally curious people an introduction to some basic concepts in International Law.

It is taught by Harris Mahmood, a Law Graduate and Private Legal Tutor from the University of Glasgow, who will take you through the history and background of International Law, The importance of an international legal system and how it operates in comparison to domestic law.

As the world becomes more and more interconnected and countries and cultures begin to mix more frequently, International Law will continue to play a fundamental role in this new global society.

The topics covered in this course are:

Background and Setting
History
Sources of Law
Dispute Settlement
Jurisdiction
Problems

By the end of this course you will have a solid foundational grasp on International Law. It will also massively help students who are about to study International Law at university or about to study international relations, international trade or international politics.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Basics of international law
The history of international law
International courts and tribunals

Issues with jurisdiction in international law
Difficulties applying international law around the world
Effects of nationalism and politics on international law

Basics of international law
The history of international law
International courts and tribunals
Issues with jurisdiction in international law
Difficulties applying international law around the world
Effects of nationalism and politics on international law

Syllabus

Learn about why international law exists and why we need it

In this lecture Harris will look at the background behind international law, why it exists and why we need it.

In this lecture Harris takes a look at the history of international by examining a brief timeline from the 17th century all the way up to the most prominent development which began after WWII

In this lecture Harris will look at the main sources of international law and where they are actually located.

In this lecture Harris looks at methods of legal dispute settlement and what options are available to states if they disagree on an issue covered by international law.

In this lecture Harris looks at what happens when multiple states claim the right to try a case and apply law and how establishing jurisdiction is the key to settling this issue

In this lecture Harris looks at some of the potential problems international law faces and will face in the future as the world becomes more and more interconnected.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides an overview of dispute settlement mechanisms, which is a crucial aspect for those interested in international arbitration and diplomacy

Explores the effects of nationalism and politics, which is highly relevant for understanding current global events and international relations

Examines the history of international law, which is foundational for understanding the evolution and current state of international legal principles

Discusses the difficulties in applying international law, which is important for understanding the limitations and challenges in global governance

Covers issues with jurisdiction, which is a complex area in international law and essential for understanding cross-border legal disputes

Requires learners to understand the history of international law from the 17th century to the post-WWII era, which may require additional reading

Reviews summary

Introduction to international law basics

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundational grasp of International Law. Many appreciate the clear and concise overview of key topics like history, sources, and dispute settlement. The instructor's explanations are frequently described as easy to understand, making it a good starting point for beginners and students new to the subject. However, some reviewers note that the course is quite basic and lacks the depth required for those seeking a comprehensive legal education or detailed understanding. While praised for its introductory nature, those with prior knowledge may find it too brief.

Lectures are brief and to the point.

"Each lecture was short, which was good for focus."

"The brevity made it easy to fit into a busy schedule."

"Sometimes I wished the lectures were a bit longer to cover more."

Helpful for university students starting out.

"I took this before my university course and it was a fantastic head start."

"Highly recommend for anyone starting their degree in IR or law."

"Gave me confidence before diving into my university material."

Instructor explains concepts clearly and simply.

"The instructor, Harris, is very clear and easy to understand."

"His explanations simplified complex topics well."

"I found the lectures very well presented and easy to follow."

Excellent for beginners seeking basic concepts.

"Perfect course if you're just starting out in international law studies."

"I needed a basic intro and this course delivered exactly that."

"Great overview for someone totally new to the subject."

Content is basic and not sufficiently in-depth.

"Good as an intro, but don't expect much depth on specific issues."

"It's very surface-level; not suitable if you need detailed legal understanding."

"Felt it could go into more detail on key cases or treaties."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to International Law with these activities:

Review 'International Law' by Malcolm Shaw

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of international law principles and theories.

View International Law on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'International Law' by Malcolm Shaw.
Read the chapters relevant to the course syllabus.
Take notes on key concepts and case studies.
Reflect on how the book expands on the course material.

Review Basic Legal Concepts

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Solidify your understanding of fundamental legal principles before diving into international law.

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Review notes from previous law courses.
Read introductory chapters from a law textbook.
Complete practice questions on legal concepts.

Create a Timeline of International Law

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Reinforce your understanding of the historical development of international law.

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Research key events in international law history.
Create a visual timeline using online tools.
Add descriptions and significance to each event.
Share the timeline with peers for feedback.

Four other activities

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Discuss Dispute Settlement Mechanisms

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Deepen your understanding of dispute settlement by discussing real-world examples with peers.

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Form a study group with classmates.
Choose a recent international dispute.
Discuss the dispute settlement options available.
Analyze the effectiveness of each option.

Review 'Cases and Materials on International Law' by D.J. Harris

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Enhance your understanding of international law through case studies and legal materials.

View Cases and Materials on International Law on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Cases and Materials on International Law'.
Read the cases relevant to the course topics.
Analyze the legal arguments and outcomes.
Compare the cases to the concepts learned in the course.

Prepare a Presentation on Jurisdiction Issues

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Solidify your knowledge of jurisdiction by preparing and delivering a presentation.

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Research different types of jurisdiction in international law.
Find case studies illustrating jurisdictional conflicts.
Create a presentation outlining the key issues.
Practice delivering the presentation.

Research a Current International Law Issue

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Apply your knowledge of international law to a real-world problem.

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Choose a current issue in international law (e.g., climate change, human rights).
Research the legal framework surrounding the issue.
Analyze the different perspectives and arguments.
Write a report summarizing your findings and offering potential solutions.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to International Law will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Diplomat

A diplomat represents their country's interests in international relations, negotiating treaties and agreements. A course offering a foundation in international law helps a diplomat by providing the necessary understanding of how international legal systems function, which is essential for navigating complex diplomatic scenarios. The course's discussions of dispute settlement and jurisdictional issues would inform a diplomat's approach to conflict resolution and international cooperation. Having a deep understanding of the history of international law, as covered by the course, also helps inform a diplomat's perspective on current events and negotiations.

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Foreign Service Officer

A foreign service officer works to advance their country's interests abroad, often engaging in diplomacy and policy implementation. This course will be very helpful for a foreign service officer due to its introduction to international law, which is critical for understanding the legal aspects of international relations and diplomacy. An understanding of the history and sources of international law, developed by this course, is invaluable when navigating discussions with foreign officials. Further, the course content on dispute settlement and jurisdiction directly pertains to the daily work of foreign service officers, helping them to analyze international incidents and formulate policy responses.

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International Trade Specialist

An international trade specialist navigates the legal and regulatory landscape of global commerce. This course helps an international trade specialist by providing a crucial understanding of the legal framework governing international trade, including how disputes are settled and the sources of international law. The course's overview will be especially important for those seeking to understand how international legal systems operate and how they impact global trade agreements. The exploration of the challenges facing international law in an increasingly interconnected world is particularly relevant to helping an international trade specialist anticipate future trends and potential hurdles.

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Human Rights Advocate

A human rights advocate works to protect and promote human rights globally. They often interact with international legal frameworks. This course helps a human rights advocate by providing a critical foundation in international law, including its history, sources, and mechanisms for dispute settlement. Understanding the difficulties in applying international law, covered in this course, is important for recognizing and addressing barriers to human rights protection. Furthermore, familiarity with international courts and tribunals, and jurisdictional issues, helps a human rights advocate to effectively advocate for victims of human rights abuses and hold perpetrators accountable through legal channels.

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Policy Analyst

A policy analyst evaluates existing policies and develops recommendations for new ones, often in the context of international relations. This course on international law helps a policy analyst by providing a comprehensive understanding of the legal framework that underpins international relations, which is essential for policy development. The course's exploration of the history of international law helps a policy analyst contextualize current challenges. The study of dispute settlement and jurisdiction also hones an analyst's understanding of potential conflicts and their resolution, thus improving policy recommendations. The content about problems facing international law can help a policy analyst anticipate future challenges and proactively shape policies.

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International Relations Consultant

An international relations consultant advises organizations on navigating the complexities of global politics and legal issues. This course provides an essential understanding of international law, which is crucial for advising clients on issues such as international agreements and disputes. The course’s focus on the history of international law helps consultants understand the evolution of global legal standards. The content on international courts and tribunals would help the consultant's analyses of the resolution of conflicts. The overview of the problems that international law faces is critical to help consultants anticipate challenges and help their clients adopt appropriate strategies.

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Political Risk Analyst

A political risk analyst assesses the potential impact of political events and policies on businesses and investments internationally. This course helps a political risk analyst by providing an understanding of international law, which is essential for evaluating the legal frameworks that can impact political risk. The history of international law, as covered by this course, will enable a more nuanced interpretation of current events. The study of international dispute settlement methods is particularly important for predicting where political instability or conflict may arise. The content about problems and challenges facing international law will also be helpful.

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Academic Researcher

An academic researcher conducts scholarly investigations, often focusing on a specific area such as international relations or international law. This course provides a solid foundation on the basics of international law, making it useful for an academic researcher interested in this field. The course's exploration of the history of international law provides a critical foundation for any research into its evolution and impact. An understanding of international courts and tribunals, as well as the complexities of jurisdiction, is essential for conducting in-depth research into this field. This course can also help academic researchers develop a well-rounded understanding of the challenges associated with international law.

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Paralegal

A paralegal supports lawyers in various aspects of legal cases, including research and document preparation. This course helps a paralegal, especially one working in international law, by providing foundational knowledge of international legal principles, including the sources of law. The course's coverage of the history of international law provides context for legal research. Its focus on dispute settlement helps paralegals understand litigation processes in an international context. The study of jurisdictional issues equips paralegals with key knowledge for case preparation and analysis. This course may be useful to a paralegal working in international law or related fields.

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International Development Officer

An international development officer works to implement programs that address global challenges, often within a legal framework. This course may be useful to an international development officer by providing knowledge of international law that informs development work. The course may help those seeking to understand the legal context of international aid and cooperation. The study of dispute settlement may help an international development officer when working in areas of conflict or instability. Discussion of the problems facing international law helps the officer anticipate challenges in development projects. The knowledge of international courts and tribunals is also pertinent.

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Lobbyist

A lobbyist advocates for specific interests to policymakers, often needing to understand the legal and political context of their work. This course may be useful for a lobbyist who works in international relations by providing knowledge of international law and its implications for policy decisions. The history of international law, as included in this course, will help inform lobbying efforts. The course's study of dispute settlements and jurisdiction will help lobbyists understand international challenges. The course content about the problems facing international law will also help a lobbyist understand the issues they will address.

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International Journalist

An international journalist reports on global events and issues. This course may be useful for an international journalist by providing important background information on international law and its effect on global politics. The course's history of international law helps journalists understand the historical roots of current events. The coverage of dispute settlement and jurisdiction can aid in reporting on international conflicts. The discussion of challenges facing international law helps a journalist analyze the complexities within global events. The course could help improve the depth and accuracy of reporting.

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Intelligence Analyst

An intelligence analyst gathers and analyzes information to assess potential threats and opportunities on the international stage. This course may be useful to an intelligence analyst by providing an understanding of international law. The course’s study of the history of international law will help an intelligence analyst understand global developments and contexts. The course’s discussion of dispute settlement and jurisdictional issues is applicable to analyzing state conflicts. The challenges of international law will help analysts anticipate future areas of instability and conflict. The course can provide context for analyzing global events.

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Nonprofit Program Manager

A nonprofit program manager oversees the implementation of international development or aid programs, often within a specific legal context. This course may be useful for a nonprofit program manager by providing an understanding of the international legal landscape. It can help them understand the legal framework that shapes international projects. Awareness of dispute settlement and jurisdictional issues can be relevant to projects in regions with conflicts and instabilities. This course may provide context to the challenges nonprofits face in different international settings. It may help those who manage projects that need to interact with international courts or legal frameworks.

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Translator

A translator converts written materials from one language to another, often in specialized fields, including international law. This course may be useful for a translator specializing in legal or political texts, by providing background knowledge on the field. The terminology covered in the course can improve the accuracy of translations. Learning about the history and sources of international law can help a translator understand legal concepts. The discussion of international courts and dispute mechanisms can help a translator contextualize legal texts. The course can improve a translator's expertise for those working in the field.

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Introduction to International Law

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Learning objectives

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Reviews summary

Introduction to international law basics

Activities

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