The course aims to analyze the functioning of international law and its most controversial aspects – with a special focus on future perspectives of this system and current problematic issues – through an analysis of the relevant international norms and practices.

Knowledge and understanding: students will gain a strong knowledge of the most important international issues, analyzing legal phenomena through the lens of the relevant international norms and practices. This analysis will also be undertaken through seminars, conventions and conferences that will involve academics and professionals from the most important sectors of interest. Applying knowledge and understanding: students will be able to apply the knowledge acquired at a theoretical level to the study of current events. These skills will be obtained through the study for the final exam and through individual and group exercises, as well as through the interaction with colleagues during the discussion of cases of interest. Making judgements: students will acquire the necessary tools to understand and analyze – from a legal standpoint and starting from the study of the fundamentals of international law – topical phenomena of global scope. Students will also develop a capacity for analysis and critical reasoning on problems and case studies, adequately applying the relevant legal framework and judicial practice to the cases examined. Communication skills: students will acquire the ability to construct, analyze and communicate their point of view and the results of their analysis, which will be achieved through the study of materials and judicial decisions in Italian and in English. Communication skills will be tested through the final exam and the interaction, in class, during the discussion of cases. Learning skills: students, having acquired the main notions of public international law, eventually deepened through the various courses pertaining to the international law profile, will have the basis necessary to access international law firms, multinational companies, international institutions and organizations, and NGOs.

Introduction to international law – Subjectivity and normative function – General international law – Treaty law and other sources of international law – Domestic implementation of international law – Internationally wrongful acts and their consequences – The settlement of disputes

Students are required to study the two following books: Palombino, F.M. (2024). Introduzione al diritto internazionale (Third ed.). Laterza. and Palombino, F.M. (2025). In difesa del diritto internazionale: Il problema dell'effettività alla prova della crisi ucraina (Second ed.). Zanichelli. Students are further required to study the Constitutional Court’s 349/2007; 238/2014; 49/2015; and 159/2023 judgments, available at www.cortecostituzionale.it.

Lectures, discussion of case studies, seminars held by Italian and foreign experts.

The exam consists of an oral test in which the student will be required to show that he/she knows and understands the notions and principles of International Law and that he/she is able to apply them to practical cases brought to his/her attention. The student is expected to be able to independently analyze the relevant sources of International Law and to use the appropriate technical and legal vocabulary, thus proving that he/she has acquired the study method and the learning ability for carrying on, also independently, further study of the subject. The final grade is expressed in thirtieths. Insufficient preparation, corresponding to a score below 18, will lead to failure to pass the exam. Answering all questions correctly, demonstrating an excellent level of preparation, will lead to the attribution of a score of 30, possibly cum laude/with honors. In assessing the level of preparation of the student, the following evaluation criteria will be taken into account: knowledge and understanding of the notions and principles of the subject and ability to apply them to concrete cases (65%); appropriate use of the technical and legal vocabulary (25%); ability to analyze and evaluate relevant sources and acquisition of the study method (10%).

Passing the final exam and a clear interest in researching and writing the thesis on this subject. Knowledge of the English language; knowledge of other foreign languages is also appreciated.