Recentering International Law: Black Traditions, TWAIL and Other Critical Perspectives

This course introduces students to international law as system of norms, rules and practices by centering critical perspectives as the foundational epistemic approach. Drawing from Black traditions in international law, Third World Approaches in International Law, Global Critical Race Feminism and other critical perspectives, this course promotes inclusive and accurate readings of international legal history, theory and practice. Divided into four substantive parts following a historical arc from 1600 through the present day, students will learn about the foundations of international law, the formation of the modern international legal system and current cases and controversies. Course materials include primary and secondary sources of law, legal scholarship and news articles covering contemporary issues in international law. The general format for each class will start with a lecture, followed by interactive small-group discussions and class roundtable discussions about the material and students’ papers.