WMD05100 International Law

Hiroshima University Syllabus

Japanese

Academic Year 2026Year School/Graduate School Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences (Master's Course) Division of Humanities and Social Sciences Law and Politics Program

Lecture Code WMD05100 Subject Classification Specialized Education

Subject Name 国際法

Subject Name
（Katakana）コクサイホウ

Subject Name in
English International Law

Instructor LOU JIE

Instructor
(Katakana) ロウ　ジェ

Campus Higashi-Senda Semester/Term 1st-Year, Second Semester, 3Term

Days, Periods, and Classrooms (3T) Tues5-8：Higashi-Senda Meeting Rm 4-3

Lesson Style Lecture Lesson Style
(More Details) Online (simultaneous interactive)

This course is offered in a hybrid format, combining in-person and online instruction. Microsoft Teams will be used for online classes as well as for sharing materials in both online and in-person sessions. Course materials will be presented as necessary through screen sharing and other digital tools.

Credits 2.0 Class Hours/Week 4 Language of Instruction B : Japanese／English

Course Level 5 : Graduate Basic

Course Area（Area） 24 : Social Sciences

Course Area（Discipline） 01 : Law

Eligible Students 1年次生以上

Keywords International Law, Public Law, SDG 16, SDG 17

Special Subject for Teacher Education 　 Special Subject 　

Class Status
within Educational
Program
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Criterion referenced
Evaluation
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)

Class Objectives
/Class Outline This course aims to provide students with a systematic foundation in international law, a field whose importance continues to grow in an increasingly globalized world.

Class Schedule lesson1 Introduction to International Law
lesson2 Subjects of International Law (I): States and Peoples
lesson3 Subjects of International Law (I): States and Peoples
lesson4 Subjects of International Law (II): Non-State Actors
lesson5 Sources of International Law (I): Treaty Law
lesson6 Sources of International Law (I): Treaty Law
lesson7 Sources of International Law (II): Customary International Law
lesson8 Use of Force in International Law (I): Jus ad Bellum
lesson9 Use of Force in International Law (I): Jus ad Bellum
lesson10 Use of Force in International Law (II): Jus in Bello
lesson11 State Jurisdiction and Immunities
lesson12 State Jurisdiction and Immunities
lesson13 International Responsibility
lesson14 International Responsibility
lesson15 Summary

Text/Reference
Books,etc. There is no mandatory textbook for this course.
However, as a highly recommended reference for gaining a systematic understanding of international law, students are strongly encouraged to consult:
岩沢雄司『国際法』（東京大学出版会）
This book is authored by Professor Yuji Iwasawa, a former judge of the International Court of Justice and, since 2025, its President. It is widely regarded as a highly authoritative and reliable resource for the study of international law.

That said, this course is conducted at the graduate level in terms of academic expectations. Accordingly, the primary focus of study is not the comprehensive reading of a single textbook, but rather the critical reading and analysis of academic journal articles and judicial decisions. No specific articles are uniformly assigned; instead, students are expected to actively seek out and read recent and relevant scholarly literature corresponding to each course theme, based on their own academic interests.

Students whose master’s thesis research relates to international law may, even if their topic does not directly coincide with weekly course themes, read and present academic works that are relevant to their own research interests.

PC or AV used in
Class,etc. Microsoft Teams

(More Details) Students are required to upload presentation materials and supplementary documents in advance via the “Files” function of the Microsoft Teams class channel, in order to facilitate prior preparation and active participation by all course members.

Learning techniques to be incorporated Flip Teaching

Suggestions on
Preparation and
Review Student presentations constitute a central component of this course. Each student is expected to select a topic of interest from the themes introduced in class, independently identify relevant academic articles and/or judicial decisions, organize the key arguments, and present their findings to the class.

Students assigned to present must upload the selected articles and case materials to the Microsoft Teams class channel at least one week prior to their presentation date. This allows other participants to prepare in advance and enables deeper and more meaningful in-class discussion.

As for review, students should proceed according to their individual academic background and interests. In particular, students specializing in international law, or those planning to write a master’s thesis in a related field, are encouraged to reflect on class discussions and continuously relate course content to their own research topics, deepening their understanding as necessary.

Requirements Given the multinational composition of the student body, flexibility is maintained with respect to the language used in presentations and discussions.

In principle, student presentations should be delivered in a language that all participants present can understand. If all participants are Japanese speakers, presentations may be conducted in Japanese. If participants share a common language other than Japanese (for example, Chinese), presentations in that language are also permitted. In classes with a multinational audience, English is recommended as the common working language.

If oral presentation in English is difficult, students may instead share presentation materials translated into English in advance and deliver the presentation in the language with which they are most comfortable. The primary concern is not the language itself, but ensuring that all participants are able to understand the content of the presentation.

Where necessary, translation tools may be used during class to support discussion and Q&A.

The balance between instructor-led lectures and student presentations/discussions will be adjusted depending on class composition and the depth of discussion. When student engagement is high, the course will be conducted primarily through presentations and discussion, with supplementary explanations provided by the instructor as needed. Conversely, if discussion is limited or if many students lack sufficient background knowledge, the instructor may increase the proportion of explanatory lectures.

Grading Method Student performance will be evaluated comprehensively based on class participation and the quality of presentations.

The overall grade will be determined according to the following weighting:
Class participation: 40%
Presentations: 60%

Practical Experience

Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it

Message

Other

Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes.
Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

Academic Year	2026Year	School/Graduate School	Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences (Master's Course) Division of Humanities and Social Sciences Law and Politics Program
Lecture Code	WMD05100	Subject Classification	Specialized Education
Subject Name	国際法
Subject Name （Katakana）	コクサイホウ
Subject Name in English	International Law
Instructor	LOU JIE
Instructor (Katakana)	ロウ　ジェ
Campus	Higashi-Senda	Semester/Term	1st-Year, Second Semester, 3Term
Days, Periods, and Classrooms	(3T) Tues5-8：Higashi-Senda Meeting Rm 4-3
Lesson Style	Lecture	Lesson Style (More Details)	Online (simultaneous interactive)
This course is offered in a hybrid format, combining in-person and online instruction. Microsoft Teams will be used for online classes as well as for sharing materials in both online and in-person sessions. Course materials will be presented as necessary through screen sharing and other digital tools.
Credits	2.0	Class Hours/Week	4	Language of Instruction	B : Japanese／English
Course Level	5 : Graduate Basic
Course Area（Area）	24 : Social Sciences
Course Area（Discipline）	01 : Law
Eligible Students	1年次生以上
Keywords	International Law, Public Law, SDG 16, SDG 17
Special Subject for Teacher Education		Special Subject
Class Status within Educational Program (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Criterion referenced Evaluation (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Class Objectives /Class Outline	This course aims to provide students with a systematic foundation in international law, a field whose importance continues to grow in an increasingly globalized world.
Class Schedule	lesson1 Introduction to International Law lesson2 Subjects of International Law (I): States and Peoples lesson3 Subjects of International Law (I): States and Peoples lesson4 Subjects of International Law (II): Non-State Actors lesson5 Sources of International Law (I): Treaty Law lesson6 Sources of International Law (I): Treaty Law lesson7 Sources of International Law (II): Customary International Law lesson8 Use of Force in International Law (I): Jus ad Bellum lesson9 Use of Force in International Law (I): Jus ad Bellum lesson10 Use of Force in International Law (II): Jus in Bello lesson11 State Jurisdiction and Immunities lesson12 State Jurisdiction and Immunities lesson13 International Responsibility lesson14 International Responsibility lesson15 Summary
Text/Reference Books,etc.	There is no mandatory textbook for this course. However, as a highly recommended reference for gaining a systematic understanding of international law, students are strongly encouraged to consult: 岩沢雄司『国際法』（東京大学出版会） This book is authored by Professor Yuji Iwasawa, a former judge of the International Court of Justice and, since 2025, its President. It is widely regarded as a highly authoritative and reliable resource for the study of international law. That said, this course is conducted at the graduate level in terms of academic expectations. Accordingly, the primary focus of study is not the comprehensive reading of a single textbook, but rather the critical reading and analysis of academic journal articles and judicial decisions. No specific articles are uniformly assigned; instead, students are expected to actively seek out and read recent and relevant scholarly literature corresponding to each course theme, based on their own academic interests. Students whose master’s thesis research relates to international law may, even if their topic does not directly coincide with weekly course themes, read and present academic works that are relevant to their own research interests.
PC or AV used in Class,etc.	Microsoft Teams
(More Details)	Students are required to upload presentation materials and supplementary documents in advance via the “Files” function of the Microsoft Teams class channel, in order to facilitate prior preparation and active participation by all course members.
Learning techniques to be incorporated	Flip Teaching
Suggestions on Preparation and Review	Student presentations constitute a central component of this course. Each student is expected to select a topic of interest from the themes introduced in class, independently identify relevant academic articles and/or judicial decisions, organize the key arguments, and present their findings to the class. Students assigned to present must upload the selected articles and case materials to the Microsoft Teams class channel at least one week prior to their presentation date. This allows other participants to prepare in advance and enables deeper and more meaningful in-class discussion. As for review, students should proceed according to their individual academic background and interests. In particular, students specializing in international law, or those planning to write a master’s thesis in a related field, are encouraged to reflect on class discussions and continuously relate course content to their own research topics, deepening their understanding as necessary.
Requirements	Given the multinational composition of the student body, flexibility is maintained with respect to the language used in presentations and discussions. In principle, student presentations should be delivered in a language that all participants present can understand. If all participants are Japanese speakers, presentations may be conducted in Japanese. If participants share a common language other than Japanese (for example, Chinese), presentations in that language are also permitted. In classes with a multinational audience, English is recommended as the common working language. If oral presentation in English is difficult, students may instead share presentation materials translated into English in advance and deliver the presentation in the language with which they are most comfortable. The primary concern is not the language itself, but ensuring that all participants are able to understand the content of the presentation. Where necessary, translation tools may be used during class to support discussion and Q&A. The balance between instructor-led lectures and student presentations/discussions will be adjusted depending on class composition and the depth of discussion. When student engagement is high, the course will be conducted primarily through presentations and discussion, with supplementary explanations provided by the instructor as needed. Conversely, if discussion is limited or if many students lack sufficient background knowledge, the instructor may increase the proportion of explanatory lectures.
Grading Method	Student performance will be evaluated comprehensively based on class participation and the quality of presentations. The overall grade will be determined according to the following weighting: Class participation: 40% Presentations: 60%
Practical Experience
Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it
Message
Other
Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes. Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

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