International Organizations (ILO-L220)

Fall 2025 · ILO L220 · Tufts University · 3 credits · Undergraduate

This course provides an introduction to the field, focusing on the interaction between international law and politics in international organizations. It begins by briefly reviewing theories of global governance and international institutions, from the perspective of both international law and international relations. It then provides an overview of the United Nations system, the European Union and other regional organizations. We then turn to a number of cross-cutting legal and institutional issues, including law-making, interpretation of the law, and the role of the executive head of an international organization. The bulk of the course is devoted to the substantive work of international organizations in peace and security, human rights, humanitarian affairs, development and the environment. The course concludes with several sessions on reform, focusing on the legitimacy of the existing institutional architecture and new models of global governance.

Course codes: ILO-L220

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