The course aims to provide theoretical and practical knowledge of the legal phenomenon of international organizations, its historical evolution and the most recent trends, the main areas of their institutional law, and to examine the role of international cooperation in some of their main areas of activity and the ongoing legitimacy crisis. The course will be structured in two Parts. Part I will examine the main areas of their institutional law. Part II will focus on selected areas of IOs activities and connected issues such as privileges and immunities, responsibility and use of force.

Knowledge and understanding: students will gain a strong knowledge of the most important international issues, focusing particularly on international cooperation as a way to face the challenges posed by globalization. The analysis will be undertaken through the study of relevant international norms, practices and international case law, during seminars, conventions and conferences that will involve academics and professionals from the most important sectors of interest. Applying knowledge and understanding: students, having acquired the main notions of the law of international organizations, will have the basis necessary to access international law firms, international institutions and organizations, and NGOs. 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 organizations 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 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.

Part I: origins and development of international organizations. International legal personality. Membership in international organizations; Institutional structure; Functions and powers. The legitimacy crisis of international organizations. Part II: Major areas of cooperation. Privileges and immunities. Responsibility of international organizations. The prohibition on the threat and use of force and its exceptions. The collective security system. UN Security Council Powers. Peacekeeping and authorizations to use force.

Part I: 1. J. Klabbers, An Introduction to International Organizations Law, 4th ed. (Cambridge University Press, 2022), available online through the Luiss Library.: Chapters 1-5, 7, 10-11, 14. 2. Additional readings and case-law. Part II: 1. Malcolm N. Shaw, International Law, 10th ed. (Cambridge Univ. Press, 2025), available online through the Luiss Library: Chapters 19, 21. 2. Additional readings, and case-law. - All additional readings, case-law and materials will be made available before class through the web page of the Course on My.luiss.it

Traditional lectures, seminars with national and foreign experts and practitioners, group presentations and discussions of case-studies, practical exercises

The final grade will be made up of the following components: 1. Participation in class (10%): active and consistent engagement during lectures and group presentations. 2. Practical exercises and group presentations of case-studies followed by general discussion in class (graded: 10% of the final grade), assessed in light of the following criteria: a) Understanding of the case; b) Clarity and organization of the presentation; c) Significance and context of the judgment/material; d) Critical analysis and use of scholarship; e) Discussion facilitation. 3. Written Mid-Term Exam on (broadly) Part I of the Program (graded: 20% of the final grade). If the grade is accepted, the topics covered by the mid-term exam will be excluded from the final oral examination. The Mid-Term Exam will consist either in multiple choice questions and/or 1/2 open questions. 4. Final Oral Exam (60% of the final grade): it will consist of up to three questions. - Students who have accepted their mid-term exam grade will be examined only on topics covered in Part II of the course. - Students who have not taken the mid-term exam or have chosen not to accept the grade will be examined on the entire syllabus. - Students will be expected to demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of the main concepts and principles of the law of international organizations, as well as the ability to apply them to practical situations and case studies. They should be able to independently analyse relevant sources of international law and use appropriate legal terminology and technical vocabulary. Students are also expected to show that they have acquired the methodological and analytical skills necessary to pursue further study of the subject independently. - The final grade is expressed on a scale of 30 points. The oral examination will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria: a) Knowledge and understanding of the subject matter, and ability to apply relevant concepts and principles to concrete cases; b) Appropriate and accurate use of legal terminology and technical vocabulary; c) Ability to independently analyse and critically evaluate relevant legal sources and to establish connections with the broader framework of public international law. - A grade below 18/30 indicates insufficient preparation and constitutes a failing mark. - A grade of 30/30 will be awarded to students who demonstrate an excellent command of the subject matter, together with a strong ability to apply legal concepts and principles to practical cases. Particularly outstanding performance may be awarded 30/30 cum laude. - Attendance Requirements: the first examination session following the completion of the course will be open only to attending students, defined as students who have attended at least 90% of the classes. - For attending students, the final examination will focus in particular on the topics, practical examples, and case studies discussed during the course. - Subsequent examination sessions will be open to all students. - For non-attending students, the final oral examination will cover all topics included in the detailed course description. These topics may be studied through the prescribed textbook and the additional readings indicated during the course.

Interest for the law of international organizations