ATENEO DE MANILA

UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Title: CONTEMPORARY Instructors:
DEVELOPMENTS IN
INTERNATIONAL LAW
(CDIL) Atty. Gilbert V. Sembrano
No. of Units: J.D. – 2; LL.M. – 2 Atty. Patrick Simon S. Perillo
Semester/ SY: 2
Department/Track INTERNATIONAL LAW
: AND DEVELOPMENT
Pre-requisites: LL.M.: None
J.D.: Public International Law

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES

The course provides a thorough discussion of general principles of international law, of the
relationship between international law and municipal law, and of the significance of
international law in domestic legal orders, taking into account the specifics of various
branches of international law. The focus of the course lies on the application of the rules of
state responsibility for internationally wrongful acts and on dispute settlement procedures for
international claims before international courts and tribunals in various branches of
international law. Thematic issues are chosen based on current significance.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the term, the students will be able to:

a. Explain and apply the general principles of international law in concrete and current
issues;
b. Increase their awareness in some of the recent and important international law issues
that have been a concern at the domestic, regional and international levels;
c. Analyze the problems presented in the course, as well as domestic laws and issues in
light of the current development in international law; and
d. Produce a research paper of publishable quality applying the general principles of
international law in analyzing contemporary international issues and relating them to
current domestic situations/issues.

Methodology

The course will use seminar format/approach and individual and group consultations. Class
discussions and participation will be the primary methods of teaching as they are significant in
the development of the students’ power of analysis, reasoning, and facility of expression. The
class is intended to stimulate critical thinking and enhance their communication and
argumentation skills.

II. COURSE OUTLINE

Week/Session Topic
Jan. 29 I. INTRODUCTION (GVS)
Session 1
Feb. 6 II. OVERVIEW/BASICS OF PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL
Session 2 LAW (PSP)
Feb. 13 III. NON-STATE ACTORS IN INTERNATIONAL LAW (PSP)
Session 3
Feb. 20 IV. TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE: IS THE ERA OF IMPUNITY
Session 4 BACK? (GVS)
Feb. 27 V. INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC MIGRATION (PSP)
Session 5
Mar. 5 VI. THE INTERNATIONAL MIGRANT CRISIS &
Session 6 TRANSFER OF REFUGEES (GVS)
Mar. 12 VII. STATELESSNESS, GENOCIDE & THE REFUGEE
Session 7 CRISIS: THE ROHINGYA TRAGEDY (GVS)
Mar. 19 IV. INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT (IDPS) (GVS)
Session 8
Mar. 28 MIDTERM EXAM WEEKS (1.5 WEEKS)
Midterms Week
Apr. 11 MIDTERM PAPER DUE, 5 P.M.
Apr. 9 VIII. INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW (PSP)
Session 9
Apr. 16 IX. TRANSBOUNDARY HARM AND STATE
Session 10 RESPONSIBILITY IN ENVIRONMENT / MIGRATORY
SPECIES (PSP)
Apr. 23 X. BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS (GVS)
Session 11
Apr. 30 V. TOBACCO INDUSTRY: TRADEMARK V. HEALTH (PSP)
Session 12
May 7 XI. TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS AND EFFECTIVE
Session 13 REMEDY (GVS)
May 14 XII. INVESTMENT ARBITRATION AND PCA: ROLE IN
Session 14 DISPUTE SETTLEMENT (PSP)
May 21 XIII. PREVENTING ELECTORAL FRAUD: EMERGING
Session 15 INTERNATIONAL ELECTORAL PRINCIPLES TO
PROTECT AND PROMOTE ELECTORAL INTEGRITY
(GVS)
May 28 XIV. ART AND CULTURAL HERITAGE (PSP)
Session 16
 May 30 FINAL EXAM WEEKS (1.5 WEEKS)
Finals Week
June 20 FINAL PAPER DUE, 5 P.M.
Final Paper Due

III. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING SYSTEM

Course Grade Description

Requirements Breakdown
Reflection Paper and 50% A very brief critical assessment / reflection on the
Class Participation current issue/s being discussed for the week (1-page,
single space). This must be submitted not later than
5p.m. one day before the scheduled class session.

Final Paper 50% Research paper of publishable quality tackling one or

more current developments in international law. The
papers are expected to contain a substantive and
analytical discussion of the topics assigned and/or
discussed in class. The papers may take off from
issues, challenges, insights, or discussions raised in
class. At the very least, the paper must be able to
discuss the chosen topics in the context of the
assigned readings, relevant international instruments,
and local legislation, if any.

The paper will be assessed according to the following

criteria:
• Content & Depth of Analysis 40%
• Breadth of Literature Reviewed 30%
• Organization and Clarity 30%

The midterm paper should cover one or more of the

topics assigned after the Midterm Exam Week and
prior to the Final Exam Week.

Length: 3,500-5,500 words only

excluding footnotes, title, cover page, table of
contents, and bibliography
min. of 15 pages, double spaced
Font: TNR 12 (TNR 10 for footnotes / block quotes)
Paper: A4
Margin: 1 inch on all sides
Footnotes: Blue Book: A Uniform System of Citation
or the Ateneo Law Journal Citation Guide
See the Dean’s Memorandum on the requirements for paper/research output for LLM and
JD students for additional information.

V. COURSE POLICIES

Please see the Rules and Regulations on attendance, dress code, discipline, scholastic
responsibility, and plagiarism, in the ALS Catalogue. In addition, all written paper
requirements should first pass through the plagiarism checker, available at the APS Library,
prior to submission.

VI. CONTACT AND OTHER INFORMATION

Prof. Gilbert V. Sembrano, B.A., J.D., LL.M. – gvshoe@yahoo.com

Prof. Patrick Simon S. Perillo, B.Sc., J.D., LL.M. – pperillo@ateneo.edu
Ms. Charee Buena – glsi.law@ateneo.edu