Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor of International Law – Undergraduate Degree Program
The Bachelor of International Law at the College of International Justice (CI Justice) is a premier academic and applied undergraduate degree programme designed to integrate deep doctrinal grounding in domestic and international legal systems with the modern p...
Duration4 years
Credit hours148
DegreeBachelor
Language of studyArabic
Terms8
About the program
The Bachelor of International Law at the College of International Justice (CI Justice) is a premier academic and applied undergraduate degree programme designed to integrate deep doctrinal grounding in domestic and international legal systems with the modern professional competencies required for cross-border legal and diplomatic practice. Built upon a Multidisciplinary and Comparative Approach, the programme empowers scholars to master the legal rules governing Public International Law, Private International Law, International Humanitarian Law, International Organizations, International Economic and Trade Law, and International Human Rights Law.Spanning eight academic semesters (four full academic years), the curriculum guides students progressively from foundational legal theory, political economy, and constitutional systems to advanced specialization in international treaty drafting, international dispute settlement and arbitration, diplomatic and consular law, and contemporary legal challenges across technology, climate change, and global security. Furthermore, the programme bridges rigorous theoretical study with hands-on practical training through the CI Justice Legal Clinic, International Moot Courts, and real-world case studies.
Vision
To achieve global leadership and academic excellence in preparing a new generation of international jurists and legal practitioners capable of upholding international justice, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights in an evolving, interconnected world.
Mission
To deliver high-caliber undergraduate legal education aligned with European and British academic standards—combining doctrinal rigor, practical application, and modern educational technologies—to qualify graduates equipped with the analytical, negotiating, and research competencies necessary to address cross-border legal challenges, supplying international judicial bodies, diplomatic missions, international organizations, and multinational corporations with distinguished legal professionals.
Objectives
- Solid Legal Foundation: Provide students with a comprehensive knowledge base in the principles, philosophy, sources, and core branches of Public and Private Law, as well as the integrative relationship between municipal legislation and international law.
- In-Depth Mastery of International Law Branches: Enable students to gain precise mastery of Public International Law, the Law of Treaties, Diplomatic and Consular Law, the Law of the Sea, International Humanitarian Law, and International Criminal Law.
- Analytical and Critical Acumen: Cultivate students' ability to critically analyze statutory texts, international conventions, and judicial precedents issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and specialized international tribunals, deducing sound legal solutions for emerging cases.
- Procedural and Negotiation Proficiency: Train students practically in drafting international contracts and treaties, preparing judicial memorials, and mastering international negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
- Responsiveness to Global Developments: Prepare graduates to address the legal dimensions of contemporary global issues, including digital commerce, intellectual property protection, climate change, refugee and migration law, and the regulatory impact of emerging technologies.
- Professional Ethics and Scholarly Research: Instill the values of integrity, justice, and professional responsibility while equipping students with rigorous legal research methodologies.
Educational philosophy
In delivering this programme, the College of International Justice adopts an educational philosophy centered on "Practice-Based and Comparative Legal Education." This philosophy rests on the premise that the contemporary international jurist cannot rely solely on memorizing static legal texts, but must deeply understand the political, economic, and socio-legal contexts in which legal norms are formulated and applied.Accordingly, the programme is structured around four philosophical pillars:Learner-Centered Flexibility: Providing an intelligent synchronous and asynchronous digital learning environment that delivers high-quality written, audio, and video instructional materials, supported continuously by a dedicated Personal Tutor for every module.Cross-Jurisdictional Comparative Methodology: Examining legal rules through a comparative lens that bridges the Romano-Germanic (Civil Law) tradition, the Anglo-Saxon (Common Law) tradition, and international jurisprudence.Case-Method Learning: Transforming virtual classrooms and academic seminars into analytical laboratories for dissecting real-world international disputes, debating scholarly papers, and simulating international oral pleadings.Direct Alignment with the Global Legal Market: Designing assessments and applied projects in collaboration with seasoned practitioners to ensure graduates are immediately prepared to enter international legal and diplomatic workplaces upon graduation.
Learning outcomes
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of foundational legal theories, classifications, and formal and interpretive sources of law across domestic and international legal systems.
- Exhibit in-depth knowledge of the subjects of international law (states, international organizations, individuals, and transnational corporations) and their respective legal rights and obligations.
- Understand the legal rules governing diplomatic and consular relations, treaty-making, international state responsibility, conflict of laws, and international judicial jurisdiction.
- Recognize the dynamic interplay between international law, global political economy, human rights protection, and international trade.
- Critically analyze legislative texts, international treaties, and judicial rulings to extract governing legal principles and ratio decidendi.
- Accurately characterize complex cross-border factual scenarios and identify the applicable domestic or international legal norms.
- Conduct systematic comparisons across diverse legal systems and evaluate the compatibility of domestic legislation with a state's international obligations.
- Construct coherent, logically sound legal arguments and rebut opposing legal submissions using rigorous scholarly reasoning.
- Draft international commercial contracts, draft treaties, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), and legal bylaws with precision and clarity.
- Prepare written memorials (claims and defenses) and deliver persuasive oral pleadings and legal opinions before national courts and international judicial and arbitral tribunals.
- Execute diplomatic and commercial negotiations and manage mediation, conciliation, and arbitration proceedings for dispute resolution.
- Utilize digital legal databases and scientific research methodologies to produce peer-reviewed legal studies and policy papers.
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in Arabic and English within multicultural legal and diplomatic environments.
- Demonstrate collaborative leadership within legal teams and advisory committees while managing time and independent research projects effectively.
- Utilize modern legal technologies, presentation tools, and e-litigation platforms with professional proficiency.
Career prospects
- Diplomatic and Consular Corps: Diplomatic attaché or legal researcher within Ministries of Foreign Affairs, embassies, and permanent diplomatic missions.
- International and Regional Organizations: Legal officer, researcher, or advisor within United Nations agencies, regional organizations, and International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) specializing in human rights, refugees, and humanitarian law.
- International Legal Practice & Consultancy: Attorney or legal counsel in international law firms and cross-border legal consultancies.
- International Commercial Arbitration Centers: Legal researcher, arbitral tribunal secretary, or Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) specialist.
- Judiciary and Public Prosecution: Admission to judicial institutes, public prosecution offices, and state legal departments (subject to national bar and judicial regulations).
- Multinational Corporations & Financial Institutions: International contracts counsel, corporate governance specialist, or Legal Compliance Officer.
- Academic Research & Think Tanks: Researcher at strategic and legal research centers, as well as seamless progression to postgraduate studies (Master's and Doctoral degrees).
Curriculum
Introduction to the Science of Law 3 credit hours · LAW101Political Economy 3 credit hours · LAW102Introduction to Political Science 3 credit hours · POL101History of Law & Comparative Legal Systems 3 credit hours · LAW103Principles of International Relations 3 credit hours · LAW104Legal Terminology & English for Law I 3 credit hours · LAW105
Constitutional Law and Political Systems 3 credit hours · LAW107Public International Law I: Foundations & Sources 3 credit hours · LAW108Sources of Obligations in Comparative Civil Law 3 credit hours · LAW109Legal Research Methodology 3 credit hours · LAW110Criminology and Penology 3 credit hours · LAW111Legal Writing & English for Law II 3 credit hours · LAW112
Public International Law II: Subjects & Territory 3 credit hours · LAW201International and Regional Organizations 3 credit hours · LAW202Administrative Law & Comparative Administrative Judiciary 3 credit hours · LAW203General Penal Law 3 credit hours · LAW204Provisions of Obligations and Law of Evidence 3 credit hours · LAW205Public Finance & International Tax Law 3 credit hours · LAW206
Diplomatic and Consular Law 3 credit hours · LAW207International Human Rights Law 3 credit hours · LAW208Law of International Treaties 3 credit hours · LAW209Nominate Contracts (Civil and Commercial) 3 credit hours · LAW210Principles of Commercial Law and Corporate Law 3 credit hours · LAW211Labor Law, Social Security & International Labor Standards 3 credit hours · LAW212
International Humanitarian Law (Law of Armed Conflict) 3 credit hours · LAW301International Law of the Sea and International Rivers 3 credit hours · LAW302International Criminal Law 3 credit hours · LAW303Criminal Procedure & International Judicial Cooperation 3 credit hours · LAW304Special Penal Law & Transnational Crimes 3 credit hours · LAW305Civil and Commercial Procedure 3 credit hours · LAW306
Private International Law I: Nationality, Status of Aliens & Conflict of Laws 3 credit hours · LAW307International Trade Law & International Commercial Contracts 3 credit hours · LAW308Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes 3 credit hours · LAW309International Responsibility & Diplomatic Protection 3 credit hours · LAW310International Refugee and Migration Law 3 credit hours · LAW311Commercial Papers & International Banking Operations 3 credit hours · LAW312
Private International Law II: International Jurisdiction & Enforcement of Foreign Judgments 3 credit hours · LAW401International Commercial & Investment Arbitration 3 credit hours · LAW402International Economic Law & Foreign Investment Law 3 credit hours · LAW403Intellectual Property & E-Commerce Law 3 credit hours · LAW404European Union Law & Regional Integration 3 credit hours · LAW405Legal Ethics, Advocacy & Negotiation Skills 3 credit hours · LAW406
International Judiciary & International Courts 3 credit hours · LAW407International Environmental Law, Climate Change & Sustainable Development 3 credit hours · LAW408International Air, Outer Space, and Cyber Law 3 credit hours · LAW409Drafting International Treaties, Contracts & Legal Instruments 3 credit hours · LAW410CI Justice Legal Clinic & International Moot Court 3 credit hours · LAW411Undergraduate Graduation Thesis in International Law 3 credit hours · LAW412
Frequently asked questions
How are teaching and learning delivered at the College of International Justice?
Studies are delivered through the CI Justice Educational Environment, an advanced digital learning ecosystem that combines practice-based synchronous learning with flexible asynchronous study. In every module, students receive:Weekly Study Planner: A structured roadmap guiding students step-by-step through weekly readings, lectures, and academic tasks.Multimedia Learning Materials: High-quality digital textbooks, reference compendiums, video lectures, audio podcasts, and self-assessed interactive activities.Academic Unit Forums: Dedicated discussion boards for debating research papers, analyzing judicial precedents, and engaging collaboratively with peers and faculty.Lifetime Access: Permanent access to instructional materials and continuous connection with the global CI Justice alumni network.
How does the Personal Tutor and Academic Support System work?
The College implements a personalized academic supervision model. Each student is assigned a specialized Personal Tutor for every module, who introduces themselves prior to the start of the unit and fulfills the following responsibilities:Monitoring the student's academic progress and guiding them toward authoritative legal sources and references.Evaluating coursework assignments and providing detailed, constructive feedback to sharpen the student's analytical and writing skills.Conducting one-on-one and small-group tutorials via dedicated Online Tutoring Rooms (accessible through an integrated appointment-booking system) to answer specialized questions and support research development.
How are students assessed and evaluated?
The assessment architecture at CI Justice is engineered to measure deep comprehension, legal reasoning, and applied skills rather than rote memorization. Assessment methods across modules include:Computer-Marked Assignments (CMAs): A series of objective online quizzes and multiple-choice questions designed to measure ongoing comprehension of foundational concepts and legal rules.Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs): Scheduled coursework submissions evaluated by the module tutor, including analytical legal essays, commentaries on international judicial decisions, hypothetical problem-solving exercises, and recorded oral presentations.End-of-Module Examinations: Most final examinations are conducted remotely via secure proctoring systems, enabling students to sit their exams from home or an approved alternative location. Where a specific module requires an in-person examination, this is stated clearly in the module syllabus, and the exam is arranged at an approved testing center near the student.
How do students gain practical experience and field training during their studies?
The College of International Justice maintains extensive partnerships with law firms, international corporations, and legal institutions across multiple jurisdictions. Through these partnerships, students benefit from:Supervised field internships where students submit detailed reflective and technical reports on their workplace practice.Active participation in the CI Justice Legal Clinic, delivering pro bono legal assistance on real-world cases under the supervision of qualified legal practitioners.Participation in international moot court competitions and a personalized one-on-one Mentorship Program pairing students with established leaders in the legal profession.
Is the College of International Justice officially licensed and accredited?
Yes. The College of International Justice (CI Justice) is fully accredited and shares its institutional and academic accreditations with International Suleiman University. Furthermore, the institution is officially licensed and registered by the Government of the United Kingdom (UK Government) to operate across the following educational and legal sectors under official Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes:85421: First-degree level higher education.85422: Post-graduate level higher education.85600: Educational support services.69109: Activities of patent and copyright agents; other legal activities.
Does the College hold official authority to deliver academic degree programmes?
Yes. The College of International Justice holds official registered authority to deliver academic programmes and is listed on the UK Register of Learning Providers (UKRLP) under the verified UK Provider Reference Number (UKPRN / ID: 10093951). All programmes are rigorously monitored by the College's Quality Control Office to ensure full compliance with international quality assurance standards and accreditation benchmarks.
Can I transfer credits from previous university studies or professional qualifications?
Yes. The College operates a comprehensive Transfer of Accreditation (Credit Transfer & RPL) policy. This system is not limited to recognizing academic credit hours completed at other accredited universities; it also allows applicants to convert a wide range of recognized Professional Qualifications into academic credit toward their degree programme, subject to evaluation under College regulations.
What is the standard duration of the Bachelor of International Law programme, and can I accelerate my studies?
The standard duration to complete the programme is four academic years (8 semesters). However, thanks to the College's flexible Credit Hour system, high-achieving students—after completing their first semester and based on their Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)—may petition to accelerate their graduation timeline by registering for a higher credit load per semester or utilizing summer semesters.
Does this degree qualify me to pursue postgraduate studies (Master's and PhD)?
Yes. The programme is structured in full compliance with standard academic Credit Hour systems and the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), qualifying graduates for direct admission into Academic or Professional Master's programmes in International Law and related fields, both at the College of International Justice / International Suleiman University and at international universities worldwide.
Can I study in this programme while working full-time?
Yes. The programme's educational philosophy is specifically engineered around Flexible Timeline Education. All core lectures, digital readings, and recorded seminars are accessible 24/7 via the virtual learning environment, while live tutorials and assignment deadlines are scheduled to accommodate working professionals across different global time zones.
How are tuition fees structured and paid?
The College adopts a transparent and accessible fee structure calculated per registered credit hour in each semester, in addition to a standard semester registration fee. The College also provides flexible installment payment plans and partial merit-based scholarships (Flexible Fees and Scholarships).
Does the programme focus solely on theoretical international law, or does it cover practical legal advocacy skills?
The programme strikes a deliberate balance between deep doctrinal jurisprudence and hands-on legal practice. Alongside studying international treaties and legal theory, students receive intensive practical training in drafting international contracts, managing commercial and investment arbitration proceedings, pleading before the International Moot Court, and handling real-world legal files within the CI Justice Legal Clinic.
Admission requirements
- To be admitted into the Bachelor of International Law programme, applicants must fulfill the following criteria:
- Academic Qualification: Hold a recognized High School Diploma (General Secondary Education Certificate / Baccalaureate) or an equivalent qualification from an accredited educational institution.
- Transfer of Accreditation & Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): The College allows students transferring from other universities, as well as holders of accredited professional diplomas and qualifications, to apply for credit transfer and exemption following evaluation by the Academic Committee.
- Language Proficiency: Demonstrate proficiency in the programme's language of instruction (Arabic or English) in reading, writing, and speaking at a level sufficient to comprehend legal terminology and produce academic research, alongside completing compulsory Legal English modules within the study plan.
- Required Documents & Technical Readiness:
- Certified copy of the High School Diploma and official academic transcript.
- Copy of a valid passport or national identity card.
- Recent formal passport-sized photograph and a Curriculum Vitae (if applying for credit transfer/RPL).
- Reliable internet connection and a computer device capable of accessing the CI Justice Educational Environment.
Tuition & fees
Application fee$75.00
Start your academic journey today
Submit your application now and our admissions team will contact you to complete the process.
Apply to this programIntroduction to the Science of Law
LAW101 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: This foundational course introduces students to the overarching concepts of legal science through two main pillars: Theory of Law (definition and characteristics of legal rules, distinction from moral and social norms, divisions of public and private law, formal and interpretive sources of law, and the temporal and territorial application of law including the principle of non-retroactivity) and Theory of Right (definition and classifications of rights, elements of a right, natural and juristic persons, objects of rights, sources of rights, and their judicial protection).
Political Economy
LAW102 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: This course examines the close interplay between economic phenomena and legal and political frameworks at both domestic and international levels. It covers fundamental economic concepts, the evolution of economic thought, the economic problem, market mechanisms versus state intervention, and comparative economic systems, culminating in International Political Economy and the impact of monetary policies, trade regimes, and international financial institutions on domestic legislation and international treaties.
Introduction to Political Science
POL101 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of political science, political research methodologies, and the Theory of the State (its elements, origins, unitary and federal structures, and core functions). It explores the concept of sovereignty, contemporary forms of government and political regimes, the role of political parties, interest groups, and public opinion, as well as an introduction to international relations and the position of international law within the global political order.
History of Law & Comparative Legal Systems
LAW103 3 credit hours Beginner
This course traces the historical genesis of legal rules and codes from ancient civilizations (the Code of Hammurabi, Roman Law, and Islamic Jurisprudence) through their historical evolution to modern codifications. It also provides a comparative study of major contemporary legal families—the Romano-Germanic (Civil Law) tradition, the Anglo-Saxon (Common Law) tradition, and mixed legal jurisdictions—equipping students with the comparative perspective essential for international legal practice
Principles of International Relations
LAW104 3 credit hours Beginner
This course examines the structural architecture of the international community and the historical evolution of international relations from the Peace of Westphalia (1648) to the contemporary global order. It analyzes major theories of international relations (Realism, Liberalism, Constructivism), concepts of power and balance of power, collective security, state and non-state international actors, and the intersection between state political interests and the rules of international law
Legal Terminology & English for Law I
LAW105 3 credit hours Beginner
This course builds the student's linguistic and terminological proficiency in Legal English. It covers foundational terminology across constitutional, civil, criminal, and public international law, paired with practical exercises in reading statutory texts, analyzing English legal syntax, and translating legal concepts with methodological precision
Constitutional Law and Political Systems
LAW107 3 credit hours Beginner
This course addresses the general theory of constitutional law, the nature of constitutions, methods of constitution-making, classifications of constitutions (flexible vs. rigid, written vs. unwritten), the supremacy of the constitution, and judicial review of the constitutionality of laws. It also examines the doctrine of separation of powers (legislative, executive, and judicial), comparative political systems (parliamentary, presidential, semi-presidential, and assembly government systems), and constitutional rights and public liberties.
Public International Law I: Foundations & Sources
LAW108 3 credit hours Beginner
Serving as the cornerstone of the specialization, this course examines the nature, historical evolution, and legal binding force of Public International Law, as well as the relationship between international law and municipal law (Monism vs. Dualism). It provides an in-depth study of the sources of international law under Article 38 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice: primary sources (international conventions, international custom, and general principles of law) and subsidiary sources (judicial decisions, scholarly teachings, principles of equity ex aequo et bono, and resolutions of international organizations).
Sources of Obligations in Comparative Civil Law
LAW109 3 credit hours Beginner
This course examines the general theory of obligations as the backbone of legal transactions. It focuses on voluntary sources of obligations: Contract (definition, formation elements including consent, object, and cause/consideration, validity requirements, vices of consent, nullity, contractual effects, interpretation, and dissolution) and Unilateral Undertakings, alongside non-voluntary sources: Tortious Liability (harmful acts), unjust enrichment, and the law, approached through a comparative lens across civil codes, Islamic jurisprudence, and international commercial usages.
Legal Research Methodology
LAW110 3 credit hours Beginner
This course trains students in the principles and methodologies of scientific inquiry in legal studies (analytical, doctrinal, comparative, and historical methods). It covers the sequential stages of legal research: identifying and formulating a legal research problem, constructing hypotheses, designing a structured academic research outline, applying standard legal citation and referencing styles, and mastering the skills of case-note commentary and statutory analysis
Criminology and Penology
LAW111 3 credit hours Beginner
This course undertakes a scientific investigation of criminal phenomena, exploring individual, environmental, and sociological factors of crime alongside major criminological schools of thought. In its second part (Penology), it examines the philosophical evolution of criminal sanctions, types of penalties and precautionary measures, correctional institution systems, and the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules) and offender rehabilitation
Legal Writing & English for Law II
LAW112 3 credit hours Beginner
Building upon foundational terminology, this course advances specialized linguistic proficiency toward legal drafting and composition in English. Students practice reading and analyzing authentic English texts of multilateral treaties, bilateral agreements, UN Security Council resolutions, and international judicial decisions, as well as drafting professional legal correspondence and concise legal memoranda
Public International Law II: Subjects & Territory
LAW201 3 credit hours Beginner
This course deepens the study of the subjects of international law, focusing on the State (constituent elements, fundamental rights and duties, sovereign equality, non-intervention, recognition of states and governments, and state succession). It further examines State Territory (land, maritime, and airspace domains, and international watercourses), alongside the contemporary international legal status of individuals, national liberation movements, and multinational corporations
International and Regional Organizations
LAW202 3 credit hours Beginner
This course explores the general theory of international organizations: their historical emergence, definition, international legal personality, membership, institutional structures, voting mechanisms, and the status and immunities of international civil servants. It provides an applied analysis of the United Nations (its Charter, principal organs including the General Assembly, Security Council, and ECOSOC, and specialized agencies), as well as major regional organizations (the European Union, League of Arab States, African Union, and Organization of American States)
Administrative Law & Comparative Administrative Judiciary
LAW203 3 credit hours Beginner
This course examines the legal rules governing executive authority and public administration: administrative organization (centralization and decentralization), public utilities and their management models, administrative police powers, civil service regulations, administrative decisions (elements and validity), and administrative contracts, culminating in the principle of legality and judicial review of administrative action (annulment proceedings and full jurisdiction/compensation claims).
General Penal Law
LAW204 3 credit hours Beginner
This course establishes the general principles of criminalization and punishment. It covers the principle of legality (nullum crimen, nulla poena sine lege), the temporal and territorial jurisdiction of penal laws (territoriality, protective, active/passive personality, and universal jurisdiction principles), the general elements of a crime (legal element, actus reus and causation, attempt, complicity, and mens rea including criminal intent and negligence), justification defenses, and grounds excluding criminal responsibility or punishment
Provisions of Obligations and Law of Evidence
LAW205 3 credit hours Beginner
This course examines the legal effects of obligations once established (specific performance and compensatory damages), legal remedies safeguarding creditors' rights, modalities of obligations (conditions and terms, plurality of objects or parties), transfer of obligations (assignment of rights and assumption of debts), and modes of extinction (performance, set-off, release, and prescription/limitation). It also dedicates a specialized section to substantive and procedural rules of evidence in civil, commercial, and cross-border disputes
Public Finance & International Tax Law
LAW206 3 credit hours Beginner
This course studies the core components of state public finance (public expenditure, public revenue, public loans, and the state budget), focusing on tax law and its constitutional principles. It delves into International Taxation: international double taxation and methods for its elimination, bilateral double taxation treaties, cross-border tax evasion and avoidance (BEPS), and transfer pricing regulations governing multinational enterprises.
Diplomatic and Consular Law
LAW207 3 credit hours Beginner
This course examines the international legal rules and customs governing diplomatic and consular relations under the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic Relations (1961), Consular Relations (1963), and Special Missions (1969). It covers state organs for foreign relations, the establishment of diplomatic and consular missions, accreditation procedures, functions and duties of diplomatic envoys, the regime of diplomatic and consular privileges and immunities, termination of diplomatic missions, and declarations of Persona Non Grata
International Human Rights Law
LAW208 3 credit hours Beginner
This course explores the historical and philosophical evolution of human rights protection, the International Bill of Human Rights (the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948, the ICCPR, and the ICESCR 1966), and specialized UN conventions (against torture, rights of the child, CEDAW, and refugee protection). It also analyzes international monitoring mechanisms (the UN Human Rights Council, Treaty Bodies, and Universal Periodic Review) alongside regional judicial systems (the European, Inter-American, and African Courts of Human Rights)
Law of International Treaties
LAW209 3 credit hours Beginner
This specialized course provides an exhaustive analysis of the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and the 1986 Convention relating to International Organizations. It details the lifecycle of international treaties (negotiation, drafting, adoption, signature, ratification, reservations, registration, and publication), conditions of validity and vices of state consent, effects of treaties on parties and third states, canons of treaty interpretation, amendments, and grounds for invalidity, suspension, or termination of treaties
Nominate Contracts (Civil and Commercial)
LAW210 3 credit hours Beginner
This course offers a doctrinal and applied study of major nominate contracts governing ownership, usufruct, and services: contracts of sale (elements, obligations of seller and buyer, and international sales variations), lease agreements, construction and works contracts (including international FIDIC standard contracts), agency agreements, insurance contracts, and suretyship, with a practical focus on contractual drafting and judicial precedents
Principles of Commercial Law and Corporate Law
LAW211 3 credit hours Beginner
This course introduces the legal frameworks governing commerce and corporate business. It examines the theory of commercial acts, the legal status and professional obligations of merchants, and business assets (goodwill and tangible/intangible elements). It further details the legal regimes governing commercial companies (partnerships, joint-stock companies, limited liability companies, holding companies, and multinational corporations) from incorporation and corporate governance to dissolution and liquidation
Labor Law, Social Security & International Labor Standards
LAW212 3 credit hours Beginner
This course examines the legal rules governing individual and collective employment relations (employment contracts, rights and obligations of employers and employees, wages, working hours, termination and unfair dismissal, trade unions, and collective bargaining), integrating them with the conventions and recommendations of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the international protection of migrant workers
International Humanitarian Law (Law of Armed Conflict)
LAW301 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: This course examines international rules designed to limit the effects of armed conflict for humanitarian reasons under the Four Geneva Conventions of 1949, their Additional Protocols of 1977 and 2005, and Hague Law. It distinguishes between international and non-international armed conflicts, detailing core principles (distinction, proportionality, military necessity, and humanity), protected persons and objects (the wounded and sick, prisoners of war, and civilians under occupation), restrictions on means and methods of warfare, implementation mechanisms, and the mandate of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
International Law of the Sea and International Rivers
LAW302 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: This course analyzes the legal regime of the oceans and seas under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It examines maritime zones and the corresponding rights and duties of coastal and landlocked states: internal waters, territorial sea and innocent passage, contiguous zone, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), continental shelf, high seas, and the Area (common heritage of mankind), alongside international straits, canals, international watercourses, and maritime dispute settlement before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).
International Criminal Law
LAW303 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: This course addresses individual international criminal responsibility and the historical evolution of international criminal justice from the Nuremberg and Tokyo Tribunals and the ad hoc tribunals for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and Rwanda (ICTR) to the 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). It details the elements of the four core international crimes (genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression), the principle of complementarity, irrelevance of official capacity/immunities and non-applicability of statutory limitations, and international judicial cooperation.
Criminal Procedure & International Judicial Cooperation
LAW304 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: This course examines the procedural rules governing criminal proceedings from the commission of an offense to final judgment (evidence gathering, preliminary investigation, trial, and appellate remedies), emphasizing fair trial guarantees under international instruments. It also covers mechanisms of international judicial and police cooperation: mutual legal assistance (letters rogatory), extradition, asset recovery, and the institutional role of INTERPOL.
Special Penal Law & Transnational Crimes
LAW305 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: In its first part, this course examines specific offenses against persons, property, and public trust across comparative penal legislations. In its second part, it focuses on Transnational Organized Crime under the Palermo Convention (2000) and the UN Convention against Corruption (Merida, 2003), covering money laundering, terrorist financing, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and cybercrime.
Civil and Commercial Procedure
LAW306 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: This course covers judicial organization, rules of jurisdiction (subject-matter, pecuniary, and territorial), the theory of legal action and admissibility requirements, litigation procedures and service of process, procedural incidents, rendering and reasoning of judgments, ordinary and extraordinary appellate remedies (appeal, cassation, and petition for reconsideration), and principles of compulsory enforcement.
Private International Law I: Nationality, Status of Aliens & Conflict of Laws
LAW307 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: This course examines legal relationships involving a foreign element. The first part addresses Nationality (acquisition, loss, positive and negative conflicts of nationality, and statelessness under international conventions), domicile, and the legal status of aliens. The second part covers the general theory of Conflict of Laws (Choice of Law): connecting factors, characterization/qualification, renvoi, public policy (ordre public) and evasion of law (fraude à la loi), and the law applicable to personal status, property, contractual obligations, and torts.
International Trade Law & International Commercial Contracts
LAW308 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: This course explores the regulatory framework of international commerce, the sources of Lex Mercatoria, and the roles of UNCITRAL and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). It provides a detailed analysis of the 1980 Vienna Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG), Incoterms, the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts, international maritime and air carriage contracts, and international payment mechanisms including documentary credits (Letters of Credit) and bank guarantees.
Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes
LAW309 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: This course examines the international obligation to settle disputes peacefully under Chapter VI of the UN Charter. It analyzes diplomatic and political means (negotiation, good offices, mediation, inquiry/fact-finding, and conciliation) and adjudicative and arbitral means, alongside the roles of the UN Security Council, General Assembly, and regional arrangements in preventive diplomacy, peacekeeping, and the collective security enforcement system under Chapter VII of the Charter.
International Responsibility & Diplomatic Protection
LAW310 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: This course examines the law of international responsibility of states and international organizations based on the UN International Law Commission (ILC) Articles (2001 and 2011). It covers the elements of internationally wrongful acts (attribution and breach of an international obligation), liability for injurious consequences of acts not prohibited by international law (transboundary harm), circumstances precluding wrongfulness, legal consequences of responsibility (restitution, compensation, and satisfaction), and the admissibility requirements for Diplomatic Protection (nationality of claims and exhaustion of local remedies).
International Refugee and Migration Law
LAW311 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: This course examines the international legal protection of refugees and forcibly displaced persons under the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol. It analyzes the legal definition of a refugee, Refugee Status Determination (RSD) procedures, the peremptory principle of Non-Refoulement, rights and obligations of refugees, exclusion and cessation clauses, the mandate of the UNHCR, temporary protection regimes, and regional frameworks across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Commercial Papers & International Banking Operations
LAW312 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: This course examines the legal rules governing negotiable instruments (bills of exchange, promissory notes, and checks) under domestic laws, the Geneva Uniform Laws, and UNCITRAL conventions, covering their issuance, endorsement, guarantees, and payment. It further addresses domestic and international banking operations, bank accounts, electronic funds transfers, and international syndicated lending.
Private International Law II: International Jurisdiction & Enforcement of Foreign Judgments
LAW401 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: Completing the Private International Law sequence, this course focuses on International Civil and Commercial Procedure. It examines the criteria governing the international jurisdiction of national courts, procedural defenses in cross-border litigation (jurisdictional challenges, lis pendens, forum non conveniens, and foreign sovereign immunity), as well as domestic rules and international conventions (including Hague Conventions) governing the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments and authentic instruments (Exequatur).
International Commercial & Investment Arbitration
LAW402 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: A core applied course examining the nature, advantages, and types of international arbitration (ad hoc vs. institutional), the Arbitration Agreement (arbitration clauses, submission agreements, and the doctrine of separability), constitution of the arbitral tribunal, the Competence-Competence principle, arbitral proceedings, applicable substantive and procedural law, rendering and setting aside arbitral awards, and the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards under the 1958 New York Convention, alongside institutional rules of the ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL, and ICSID.
International Economic Law & Foreign Investment Law
LAW403 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: This course examines the legal architecture of international economic relations, the World Trade Organization (WTO) legal system, its covered agreements (GATT, GATS, TRIPS), and the WTO Dispute Settlement Mechanism. It places special emphasis on International Investment Law: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs), substantive protection standards (Fair and Equitable Treatment, National Treatment, Most-Favored-Nation treatment, and protection against unlawful expropriation), and Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) before ICSID.
Intellectual Property & E-Commerce Law
LAW404 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: This course examines domestic and international legal protection of Intellectual Property Rights across both branches: Industrial Property (patents, trademarks, industrial designs, geographical indications, and trade secrets) and Copyright and Related Rights, within the framework of WIPO treaties and the TRIPS Agreement. It also covers the legal regulation of E-Commerce, electronic contracting, digital signatures, and the evidentiary weight of electronic records.
European Union Law & Regional Integration
LAW405 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: This course provides an in-depth examination of the premier model of supranational legal integration. It covers the constitutional evolution of the European Union (from the Treaties of Rome and Maastricht to the Treaty of Lisbon), EU institutions and legislative instruments (Regulations, Directives, and Decisions), foundational doctrines governing EU-member state legal relations (Supremacy/Primacy and Direct Effect), the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), and the Four Freedoms of the European Single Market.
Legal Ethics, Advocacy & Negotiation Skills
LAW406 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: This course integrates the professional and ethical standards governing international legal practice and the judiciary (independence of counsel, client confidentiality, and conflict of interest rules) with intensive practical training in oral and written legal advocacy, strategic legal and diplomatic negotiation, and managing complex multi-party negotiation sessions.
International Judiciary & International Courts
LAW407 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: This advanced course focuses on the procedural and operational dimensions of international adjudication, centered on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague: its composition, contentious jurisdiction (special agreement, compromissory clauses, and optional clause declarations), advisory jurisdiction, written and oral proceedings, third-state intervention, provisional measures, and the binding force and enforcement of judgments, supported by case studies of landmark contentious cases and advisory opinions.
International Environmental Law, Climate Change & Sustainable Development
LAW408 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: This course examines international legal frameworks protecting the global environment and addressing climate change. It traces the evolution of International Environmental Law from the Stockholm (1972) and Rio (1992) Declarations to the Paris Agreement (2015), analyzing core legal principles (the precautionary principle, polluter-pays principle, common but differentiated responsibilities, and sustainable development), biodiversity and marine environment conventions, carbon market regulation, and climate litigation.
International Air, Outer Space, and Cyber Law
LAW409 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: This forward-looking course explores the frontiers of international law across aviation, space, and digital domains. It examines International Aviation Law (the 1944 Chicago Convention and ICAO), Outer Space Law (the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, non-appropriation, and peaceful use), and delves deeply into International Cyber Law and AI Governance (the Tallinn Manual, digital sovereignty, legal attribution and qualification of cyber operations under international law, and cross-border data protection regimes such as the GDPR).
Drafting International Treaties, Contracts & Legal Instruments
LAW410 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: An intensive applied course training students in bilingual (Arabic/English) professional legal drafting of international instruments: preambles and operative clauses of international treaties and conventions, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), model international commercial contracts, dispute resolution and governing law clauses, diplomatic notes, and formal Legal Opinions.
CI Justice Legal Clinic & International Moot Court
LAW411 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: Serving as the practical training arm of the program, this course engages students in a full-scale simulation of an international dispute modeled on premier global moot court competitions (such as the Jessup or Vis Moot). Students draft written Applicant and Respondent Memorials and deliver oral pleadings before a simulated bench, alongside hands-on clinical work within the CI Justice Legal Clinic analyzing real-world case files and providing pro bono legal consultations under expert supervision.
Undergraduate Graduation Thesis in International Law
LAW412 3 credit hours Beginner
Academic Description: Students culminate their undergraduate studies by preparing an original, in-depth scholarly research thesis addressing a contemporary issue in international law under the direct supervision of a department faculty member. The student applies rigorous legal research methodology, comparative doctrinal and jurisprudential analysis, and academic citation standards, defending the thesis before an examining committee.