Costa Rica Summer Program in Ciudad Colòn

Course Descriptions

Although there are two distinct classes taught during this course, the topics they address are contiguous and, to a certain extent, overlap. At the beginning of the course, the instructors will co-teach a few hours to introduce students to international law and its institutions. While teaching their respective classes, the instructors will highlight, as necessary, the connections between international environmental law and international human rights.

INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW - 2 credits (Professor Cesare Romano)

In 1972, there were only a few international environmental treaties, primarily concerning the protection of the marine environment from oil pollution and the conservation of migratory birds and marine mammals. Today almost 300 multilateral environmental treaties are in force, covering such diverse topics as acid rain, depletion of the ozone layer, climate change, protection of biological diversity, desertification, and transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and chemicals. What principles and norms do these treaties contain? How does international environmental law regulate states, international organizations and private actors behavior? What role can international law and institutions play in addressing environmental problems?
This course aims to introduce the basic concepts and mechanisms of international environmental law. Besides, rather than survey the entire field, which could not be possible in such a compact course, we will focus on a few case studies that illustrate the basic types of international environmental problems and issues.

INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION HUMAN RIGHTS - 2 credits (Professor Ruth Mackenzie)

This course provides an overview of the international system for the protection of human rights. It will focus on the law and institutions governing basic human rights at the international level. The course will look at the roles of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Organization of American States, development banks, international courts, inter-governmental negotiations, non-governmental organizations, and transnational corporations in this context. Particular attention will be given to specific human rights issues in the Central American region, including indigenous peoples rights, cultural rights, protection of the environment qua a human right, and right to development.