The role of Customary Law in International Criminal Law″ based on Ntaganda Case Study.

General Information

Course Number: POLS 3560
Course Title: Politics of International Law
Section: A01	Instructor: Dr. Bryan Peeler
CRN: 20048	Office: 527 Fletcher Argue Bldg.
Credit Hours: 3	Phone: (204) 272-1586
Term: Fall	Email: [email protected]
Location of Class: Online via Webex	Office Hours: 2:30–3:30 M and appt.
Time of Class: 11:30-2:15 M

Objectives and Content

An introduction to international law including sources of international law, the use of force and international human rights

Required Readings

Scott, Shirley V., International Law in World Politics: An Introduction, 3rd. ed. (Boulder CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2017).

Additional readings will be provided via UMLearn: https://universityofmanitoba.desire2learn.com

Recommended Readings

Any recommended readings will be posted via the course UMLearn site.

Evaluation

Class participation, 20%

The class participation grade will be based on the following criteria:

· Your willingness to engage in constructive and respectful discussions (10/20)

· Evidence that you have completed and understood the assigned readings (10/20)

I will email you a report explaining on your participation grade at the end of term.

Research essay, Nov. 23: 40%

Students will submit a research essay intended to make an original argument and contribution to the existing literature on international law. You can write on a topic of your choice, provided that the paper touches on issues discussed in class and I have given my approval.

The research paper should be 4 to 5 pages in length. Your argument should rely on research published in academic or policy journals and government or think tank reports. You should try to write the papers in a concise, learned style that avoids jargon. Accordingly, the paper should be written in a way that entices the reader and contributes to our understanding of international law. See the essay guidelines for further information about the assignment

The essay will be graded according to the following criteria:

· Argument structure and flow (20/40)

· Depth, breadth, and originality of the analysis (10/40)

· Research and sources (5/40)

· Style, spelling, and grammar (5/40)

Your essay must be uploaded to UMLearn by 11:30am of the due date. Late papers will be penalized one grade fragment per day, including weekends and holidays.

1