Course Instructor: Sonia Dussault - 11sd33@queensu.ca
Please include the Bader College academic administrator in all communications: Jennifer Winter - jennifer.winter@queensu.ca
In Summary:
This course provides foundational knowledge about the relationship between international politics and international law. It then explores more specific aspects of international law, including international criminal law and the Law of Armed Conflict, and situates the central statutes, customs, and institutions of international law within the broader context of global governance.
Course Highlights: 
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One course, three modules: POLS 398/9.0 is a single course split into 3 modules - International Law and Politics, Genocide, Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes, and The Law and Politics of Armed Conflict.
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You will begin your program by studying the key norms and players in international law and the role of law in limiting the use of force, governing environmental politics and trade, as well as in structuring international governance bodies. With this legal foundation, you will be ready to explore the field of comparative genocide studies and international criminal law, and to address more complex legal concepts in the areas of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the law of armed conflict.
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Numerous historical and contemporary case studies will be used to illustrate the core course content and provide you with the basis for more robust discussion about complex legal and political topics. Case studies analyzed include Armenia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Syria, Iraq, Former Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Nazi Germany, USSR as well as the role of International Tribunals and the International Court of Justice.
Course Information:
The Specialized Program in International Law and Politics is an upper-year study abroad program that explores specific aspects of international law, including international criminal law and the law of armed conflict, examines the phenomenon of genocide and other forms of mass violence in historical and contemporary contexts, and situates the central statutes, customs, and institutions of international law within the broader context of global governance. Over the course of 3 modules comprising POLS 398/9.0 you will explore the key norms and players in international law, be introduced to its history and actors, explore the United Nations and address key contemporary issues in international law.
You will learn from instructors with real-world experience working in key governmental and supra-governmental institutions including the UK Foreign Office, Canadian Forces, and the United Nations.
Whether you are considering a career in politics, international relations, journalism, global development, human rights or plan to pursue further education in law or graduate school, you will be differentiating yourself from your peers when you enroll in the Specialized Program in International Law and Politics. This program will allow you to acquire a combination of knowledge, analytical skills, and international experience – all sought-after assets for a variety of potential employers – that are simply not available in more traditional learning environments.
Electives:
In addition to POLS 398, choose any two courses from our offerings in the General Program to gain 15.0 credits for the semester.You might be interesting to know that the following courses can be used towards a Political Studies plan:
- BADR200/3.0 - Creativity and Activism in a Postcolonial World (POLS_Subs list)
- BADR305/3.0 - British Studies II (POLS_Subs list)
- POLS338/3.0 - European Integration (POLS)
Here is the full list of offerings.
Experiential and Active Learning Opportunities:
We are very pleased to announce that the travel restrictions imposed on us as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic have been lifted, and our students will be returning to Paris in Winter 2024.
Prerequisites and Exclusions:
12 units in POLS at the 200 level or above and a GPA of 2.0 on all units in POLS.
Consideration will be given to students from all programs with a GPA of 2.7 or above. Please contact Jennifer Winter - jennifer.winter@queensu.ca
Course applicable to the following Majors/Medials/Minors:
POLS398/9.0 is a unique undergraduate program specifically designed for upper-year undergraduate students (in their third or fourth year), offering foundational knowledge about the relationships between international politics and international law.
Satisfy plan requirements for POLS Major and POLS Medial, as well as the PPEC-POLS stream.
