International Law (3 credits – Tues./Thurs. – 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. – Prof. Johnson)
Public International Law is designed to provide students with a basic foundation in the role of governments in international law in four basic areas: Global Trade, Involvement in Domestic Matters of other Countries, War on Terror, and in Global Problem Solving in areas affecting the Environment. The course is a practicum, which means students will study real life problems through case studies, will role play and be asked to devise strategies for addressing them, either by critiquing what was done, or deciding how best to address the issue. Students will be required to draft a short paper and make a short presentation on one of the problems; and draft a 15-page scholarly writing paper (excluding footnotes) that will satisfy the scholarly writing requirement on any topic of interest in public international law. Class will be taught by lecture, with a heavy emphasis on class discussion and small group interaction. The learning outcomes for students include to 1) demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding about the actors, processes and regulations that impact on government engagement in global issues; 2) demonstrate how to engage in critical and analytical thinking and problem-solving skills in complex international matters; 3) demonstrate effective research and drafting of a scholarly writing paper with a thesis, argument, discussion, conclusion with footnotes; and 4) demonstrate oral advocacy skills on a topic of interest.
Please note also Professor Johnson’s innovative – and cheaper – use of online materials instead of a traditional casebook. Coursebook Info for International Law. She will be using an online workbook called CyberWorkbooks. It will include all of the reading in module lessons with self-directed questions. You will receive an invoice to obtain the account information to access it, which can be purchased with a credit card. The license will be significantly cheaper than the textbook. Stay tuned.