LAWS 7785 International Law

This course is designed to familiarize students with the operation and institutional structure of the international legal system, the law of nations that govern relations among states. The first portion of the course, consisting of somewhat more than half of the semester, will address the principal attributes of the international legal system, including (1) sources of international law; (2) subjects of international law; (3) jurisdiction of states; (4) international adjudication and dispute settlement; and (5) the law of treaties. The remainder of the course, as time permits, will be devoted to special topics, including such subject matter as the law of the sea; the international law of human rights; the use of force in international law; and diplomatic and consular immunity.

Course overview

Department
Law
School
LAW
Credits
3
Level
Graduate
Offered
Every Fall

Course evaluations

Response-weighted averages from Boston College’s official course evaluations (Avalanche/Blue).

Course rating
3.76 / 5 · Very Good
79 responses
Instructor rating
3.92 / 5 · Very Good
79 responses
Terms evaluated
5
Most recent: Fall 2025

Scales: overall ratings run from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent); agreement questions from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree); weekly effort from 1 (up to 1 hour) to 5 (10 or more hours).

Evaluations by term and instructor
TermInstructorCourse overallInstructor overallWell organizedClear learning objectivesIntellectually challengingHelpful assignmentsApplicable beyond courseAttendance necessaryWeekly effortResponses
Fall 2025David Wirth4.34.34.64.54.74.44.64.77–9 hrs/week12 of 16
Fall 2024David Wirth4.14.44.44.44.64.44.64.64–6 hrs/week14 of 15
Fall 2023David Wirth—————————11 of 14
Fall 2022David Wirth3.33.43.94.04.34.03.84.34–6 hrs/week24 of 30
Fall 2021David Wirth3.84.14.24.24.44.34.14.64–6 hrs/week18 of 27

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-10-09. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

  • David Wirth
    Fall 2025, Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022, Fall 2021 · Official rating 3.92/5