Symbiosis Law School, Pune

INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION

Course Code- T1298

Learning Objective(s):

1. To describe the role and functions of international organizations.

2. To explain the history and contemporary developments in some of the more visible
international organizations like the UN and the EU.
3. To appraise the areas of co-operation in international relations which are likely to bring about
cohesion and integration, and assess the role of international organization like the UN in
fostering change.
4. To examine the concept of regionalism as an approach for understanding international
relations.

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the course the student will be able to :
1. Understand the functioning of international organization.
2. Understand and examine the history and contemporary developments in some of the more
visible international organizations like the UN and the EU.
3. Analyze areas of co-operation in international relations and assess the role of international
organization like the UN in fostering change.
4. Discuss the general topic of regionalism as an approach to understanding international
relations.
Units

1. Evolution of Inter-state System (05)

1.1 Emergence of European Inter-State System : Transition from Middle Ages, Passage
from Dynastic to Popular Sovereignty
1.2 Characteristics of State System: Territoriality, Nationalism
1.2.1 Types of Nationalism
1.2.2 Evolution of International Organization: from the Treaty of Westphalia to the
League of Nations and the UN
1.2.3 League of Nations: League’s Record in Securing Peace
1.2.4 Causes of Failure and Appraisal of League of Nations
2. The United Nations System: Relevance and Capacity (07)
2.1 Overview of the Charter and Structure of UN
2.1.1 General Assembly, Security Council, ECOSOC, International Court of Justice,
Secretariat, Trusteeship System
2.2 Constitutional and Legal issues in the UN: Membership and Decision-Making,
2.2.1 Changing Role of Secretary General, Financing of the UN system

2.3 United Nations and International Law

3. Functional Cooperation in the UN System (07)

3.1 Role of Specialized Agencies
3.2 United Nations and Social Issues: Women, Children, Refugees and Indigenous People
3.3 Achievement and limitations and Future Role of the UN, Need for Reforms

4. Contemporary Role of the UN (07)

4.1 India and the UN
4.2 Self-Determination as a Right, Cases
4.3 UN Humanitarian Assistances
4.4 Politics and the Economics of the Emerging New World Order

5. Regionalism: European Union (04)

5.1 Creation of European Union: History of European Integration
5.2 Institutional Structures and Functions
5.3 European Community Law: General Principles, Primary and Secondary sources of EC
Law, Case Law of ECJ
5.4 Relation between Community Law and National Legal System of Member States

Total (30)

Suggested Readings:
 Basu, R., The United Nations: Structures and Functions of an International Organisation,
Sterling Publishing, New Delhi (2004)
 Brownlie Ian, Principles of International Law, Oxford University Press (2008)
 Carlsnaes Walter, Thomas Risse, Beth A Simmons (Editors), Comparative Regional
Integration, Handbook of International Relations, Sage Publications (2002)
 Chandra, P., International Politics, Vikash Publishing , New Delhi (1979)
 Chibber, Bharti, Regional Security & Regional Cooperation - A Comparative Study of
ASEAN & SAARC, Carrlsnaes,W., Risse, Simmons(ed), Sage Publications, London
 D.W. Bowett, Law of International Institutions, Sweet & Maxwell (1982)
 David M, Law and practice of the United Nations, Oxford University Press (2008)
 Edgar Alister, Peace, Justice and Politics: ICC- new diplomacy in Enhancing Global
Governance Cooper, English, Thakur(ed), UN University Press, New York (2003)
 Edwards, Michael, Future Positive: International Co-operation in the 21st Century,
Earthscane, London (1999)
 Goodspeed Stephen S., Nature and Function of International Organisation, Oxford
University Press (1967)
 Gray Christine, International Law and the Use of Force, OUP (2004)
 H. Steiner and P. Alston, International Human Rights in the Contexts, 3 rd Ed., Oxford
University Press (2007)
 Harris D. J, Cases and Material on International Law, 4th Ed, Sweet and Maxwell (2002)
 Jan Klabbers, International Organizations, Dartmouth Publishing Co., 5th edition (2005)
 Joachim,J.,Locher,B.,(ed)Transnational Activism in the UN and the EU: a Comparative
Study, Routledge, New York (2009)
 Kaczorowska Alina, European Union Law, Routledge, London & New York (2009)
 Kapoor,S.K., International Law and Human Rights, Central Law Agancy, Allahabad (2009)
 Karns Margaret, Karen Mingst, International Organization- Policies and Processes of
Global Governance, Viva Books Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi
 Malcolm Evans, International law (Edited) Oxford University Press (2003)
 Richard,W.M.,Rafferty,K.L.,Introduction to Global Politics, Routledge, London & New
York, (2008)
 Shaw,Malcolm N.,International Law, Oxford University Press (2009)
 Shukla Subhash, Foreign Policy of India, Anamika Publication, New Delhi (2007)
 Simma, Bruno(ed), The Charter of The United Nations: A Commentary, Oxford University
Press (2002)
 Simon Chesterman, Thomas M Frank and David M. Malone, Law and Practices of the
United Nations, Oxford University Press (2008)
 Slomanson, W.R., Fundamental Perspectives on International Law,Thomas Publiactions
(2003)