In the era where international law cracks under great-power showdowns — from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Maduro’s capture, war with Iran to Trump’s Board of Peace rivaling the UN — this 2-credit seminar equips future lawyers with the tools to navigate today’s and tomorrow’s legal battlegrounds.
Inspired by recent debates about the “rupture” of the “rules-based international order” — where shared norms are breaking down amid selective enforcement and competing visions of global order — this seminar examines how different states use and interpret international law through liberal and authoritarian perspectives. Liberal actors have sought to design global rules that advance universal norms, human rights, and democratic change, while authoritarian regimes have retooled those same principles to protect regime survival, assert sovereignty, and expand influence. We critically examine liberal ideals (human rights, responsibility to protect, judicial accountability) versus authoritarian paradigms (absolute sovereignty, non-interference, selective compliance). Case studies will include China’s stance on the South China Sea, Russia’s position on Ukraine, and U.S. actions regarding Venezuela and Iran. We will also consider the role of emerging international initiatives that challenge traditional multilateral frameworks.
Over six weeks (two 130-minute sessions per week), students will engage in debates, lead presentations, and produce a 25-30-page final paper. The course emphasizes analytical, advisory, and advocacy skills for practicing international law in a world where its foundations are being contested.