Sustainable Development in Global Trade (WTO) Law
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims at - analyzing international trade law and its relationship with the international framework on sustainable development; - Examining the main WTO covered agreements and Regional Trade Agreements, in light of the connected issues concerning sustainable development.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of this course, students should be able to: - understand and evaluate critically the international trade legal issues and their relationship with sustainable development; - interpret the international trade legal provisions, taking account of the international legal framework on sustainable development; - understand and evaluate critically the jurisprudence developed by the WTO in this field and the law-making process, as currently evolving within and out of the WTO; - use their communication skills (written and oral) in this field, including arguing convincingly, with logical and legal thoroughness and propriety of legal language.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course aims to provide students with the legal tools and proper legal methodology to address issues of sustainable development in the context of global trade law. The course focuses on analyzing the legal framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs), as well as their relationship with the rules and principles governing sustainable development. To this end, it offers a general overview of the legal discipline of international trade, with a primary focus on the international trade of goods. Specific attention is devoted to examining the interaction between WTO/RTA rules and non-trade concerns, such as the protection of human rights and the environment, food security, the response to COVID-19, climate change, and fishing.
Program:
Part I:
· Sustainable development as an objective of the WTO and RTAs
· The WTO: origins, structure, and legal texts
· The GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade): rules and principles
· The general exceptions: the protection of the environment, human rights, and national security
· The SPS Agreement (Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures)
· The TBT Agreement (Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade)
· The treatment of developing countries
· The US-China trade war and the crisis of the WTO
Part II:
· RTAs: rules and their relationship with WTO law
· The RTA rules and chapters on sustainable development
Program:
Part I:
· Sustainable development as an objective of the WTO and RTAs
· The WTO: origins, structure, and legal texts
· The GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade): rules and principles
· The general exceptions: the protection of the environment, human rights, and national security
· The SPS Agreement (Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures)
· The TBT Agreement (Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade)
· The treatment of developing countries
· The US-China trade war and the crisis of the WTO
Part II:
· RTAs: rules and their relationship with WTO law
· The RTA rules and chapters on sustainable development
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisite is needed. However, a basic knowledge in
International is highly recommended.
Students must have an excellent knowledge of the written and spoken English language
International is highly recommended.
Students must have an excellent knowledge of the written and spoken English language
Teaching methods
The instructional approach combines traditional methods (lectures delivered by the Professor) with interactive activities among participants (case studies, analysis of legal precedents, group work, and presentations).
The language of instruction for this course is English. This means that all communication during lectures will be in English, and all course literature and supplementary materials are in English.
The detailed course syllabus and instructional materials will be made available on the ARIEL platform.
The language of instruction for this course is English. This means that all communication during lectures will be in English, and all course literature and supplementary materials are in English.
The detailed course syllabus and instructional materials will be made available on the ARIEL platform.
Teaching Resources
TEXTBOOK: The required textbook for this course is "Essentials of WTO Law" by Van den Bossche and Prevost, published by Cambridge University Press in 2021.
READINGS: Mandatory and suggested readings will be listed or uploaded on the ARIEL platform.
A detailed course syllabus will be made available on ARIEL at the start of the term.
READINGS: Mandatory and suggested readings will be listed or uploaded on the ARIEL platform.
A detailed course syllabus will be made available on ARIEL at the start of the term.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final assessment will be an oral examination. There will also be a written midterm examination.
The purpose is to evaluate students' ability to examine economic issues from a legal perspective, particularly their aptitude in analyzing international trade law. Particular emphasis will be placed on the appropriate use of legal terminology.
The active participation of attending students in interactive learning activities will be considered in the overall assessment.
The purpose is to evaluate students' ability to examine economic issues from a legal perspective, particularly their aptitude in analyzing international trade law. Particular emphasis will be placed on the appropriate use of legal terminology.
The active participation of attending students in interactive learning activities will be considered in the overall assessment.
IUS/13 - INTERNATIONAL LAW - University credits: 6
Lessons: 42 hours
Professor:
Silingardi Stefano
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Silingardi StefanoEducational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Tuesday: 10.30-12.30 by appointment to be arranged via email
Department of Italian and Supranational Public Law - Basement level, corner room.