International Law has been one of the key subjects studied at The Fletcher School since its founding, and the play of various policies in the international legal order is seen as a significant part of international affairs.
All students who choose public international law as a field study the fundamental structure of the international legal order and its law-making, law-enforcing and adjudicatory processes. Students examine the influence of differing cultural and philosophical perspectives, the history of the international legal system, and topics such as treaty law, the law of war, international dispute resolution, statehood and recognition and the roles of international organizations and the UN.
To further their knowledge of international law, students may choose from variety of courses focusing on issues such as:
- international legal history
- human rights
- the law of the sea
- the role of international organizations
- peace operations
- non-proliferation law and institutions
- international trade
In this field, students examine legal order throughout the course of history and all over the world – always with an eye toward relevant current events – and gain a comprehensive and rigorous education on the international legal order and its impact on the broader field of international affairs.
The Public International Law field of study requires the completion of a minimum of three courses.