Legal Studies

This criminology course focuses on organized crime and its international aspects by familiarizing students with organized crime theory in an international context, with a focus on diverse forms of smuggling, like trafficking in hazardous waste, animals, arms, drugs, human beings, and body parts. The course examines the antecedents of contemporary transnational organized crime, how new opportunities have opened up, and the different means that national and international organizations have employed to match the inventiveness and adaptability of the sophisticated criminal organization. Students participate in practical research and construct a final paper. 

The course introduces the normative structure and theoretical foundations of Public International Law (PIL), alongside its institutional and procedural aspects. It also looks at the interplay between Public International Law and domestic legal systems, and between Public International Law and international relations, legal philosophy, and political science. A particular focus of the course is the relevance of Public International Law to the issues and challenges confronting the State of Israel. The course discusses core issues in Public International Law and their significance to the State of Israel, in light and based upon the unique needs and history of Israel.

The undergraduate research program places students in research opportunites to conduct indpendent research under the supervision of a Chinese University of Hong Kong faculty. Students are expected to spend approximately 15 to 20 hours per week in independent research as well as attend lectures and labs.

This course is an introduction to the field of public international law. The course covers major topics in this field, including sources of international law (treaties and customary international law); subjects (States and international organizations); the law of State responsibility; the prohibition on the use of force; and international dispute settlement. The course emphasizes learning how to read and understand international law instruments, such as states multilateral treaties and judgments of the International Court of Justice. The course discusses topics including sources and subjects of international law, state responsibility, prohibition on the use of force, jurisdiction, immunities, international dispute settlement, and international human rights law.