Foreign Relations Law of the United States

3 units

This course explores the conduct of foreign relations under U.S. law, and in particular the constitutional allocation of lawmaking power in the foreign affairs field. It focuses on the distribution of foreign affairs powers among the President, Congress, and the judiciary, and on the relationship between the federal and state governments in the foreign affairs arena. Specific subject matter areas covered include the war on terrorism, the role of international law in interpreting the U.S. Constitution and other domestic legal sources, the treatymaking power, and the interaction of international institutions (such as the World Court) and domestic lawmaking bodies. Attendance and participation in class are required. Laptops will not be allowed in class. The final will be an in-class three-hour exam.