Teaching code

4S009821

Teacher

Paolo Davide Farah

Coordinator

Paolo Davide Farah

Credits

6

Language

English

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

IUS/13 - INTERNATIONAL LAW

Period

2° periodo lezioni (2B) dal Apr 8, 2026 al May 20, 2026.

Courses Single

Authorized

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

The course is included in the learning area on Internationalization of the markets. The course aims to provide students with the legal framework relating to the international trade and investment law in the context of the globalized world economy (World Trade Organization, bilateral investment treaties, and free trade agreements).
At the end of the course, students will be able to identify, outline and explain the basic principles that apply in international trade matters. They will be able also to identify, evaluate and compare standards and investment protection procedures in different countries.
Students will also acquire the ability to face and solve practical problems typical of the professional context in which they will operate, thus orienting their competence to the goal of contractual compliance and to the prevention of the judicial conflicts. Students will also be able to verify the practical and applicative consequences of the theoretical and regulatory framework and to set, in written and oral form (and also through group work, written exercises and the method of Problem Based Solving - PBS), the solution to concrete issues, using the appropriate and specific disciplinary vocabulary, adopting the correct lines of reasoning and argumentation, and formulating autonomous judgments. The teaching method used is functional to the continuous learning and updating of acquired knowledge.

Prerequisites and basic notions

Good knowledge of the English language (level B2)

Program

Course Description
International Trade and Investment Law
The course International Trade and Investment Law offers an in-depth and interdisciplinary examination of the legal frameworks governing global trade, foreign investment, and economic globalization. It explores how international economic law interacts with contemporary challenges such as sustainability, climate change, technological innovation, and shifting geopolitical dynamics.
Drawing on both public international law and transnational regulatory approaches, the course analyzes key institutions and regimes, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), bilateral and multilateral investment treaties, and emerging governance mechanisms shaping global markets.
Particular attention is devoted to:
• The relationship between trade and non-trade values, including environmental protection, human rights, and public health
• The evolving role of corporations and investors in global governance, including ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) frameworks
• The legal implications of energy transitions and climate change policies
• The interaction between international economic law and new technologies, including digital trade and artificial intelligence
• Comparative perspectives across jurisdictions, with a focus on developments in Europe, the United States, and emerging economies
The course adopts a critical and comparative perspective, encouraging students to engage with current debates on the transformation of international economic law and the reconfiguration of the global order.
Teaching is informed by the instructor’s extensive academic and professional experience in international law, including research on global trade, investment law, sustainability, and the intersection of law, technology, and governance. The course also benefits from the instructor’s involvement in international academic networks, policy discussions, and interdisciplinary projects across Europe, the United States, and beyond.
Classes will combine lectures, case analysis, and interactive discussions, with the aim of developing students’ analytical, critical thinking, and practical skills in addressing complex global legal issues.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Understand the core principles and institutions of international trade and investment law
• Analyze the interaction between trade, investment, and broader societal concerns
• Critically assess contemporary developments in global economic governance
• Apply legal reasoning to real-world case studies involving transnational disputes
• Engage with interdisciplinary perspectives linking law, policy, and global governance

Didactic methods

Teaching Method
The course is delivered entirely online and in English, and combines:
• Structured lectures
• Case-based discussions
• Student participation and interactive engagement

Learning assessment procedures

Teaching Method
The course is delivered entirely online and in English, and combines:
• Structured lectures
• Case-based discussions
• Student participation and interactive engagement

Evaluation criteria

Course Assignments
The final grade will be based on the following components:
Component Weight
Class Participation and Exercises 30%
Final Recorded Presentation 70%
Assignment 1: Class Participation and Exercises
Objective:
Class participation is an essential component of this course and accounts for 30% of the final grade. Students will engage in exercises designed to reinforce course materials and promote active learning.
These may include:
Case Study Analysis (WTO disputes and investment arbitration cases)
Policy Discussions on trade, sustainability, and global governance
Treaty Interpretation Exercises
Comparative Legal Analysis across jurisdictions
Role-Playing Simulations (e.g., trade negotiations or arbitration proceedings)
Assignment 2: Final Recorded Presentation
Objective
The final individual presentation requires students to analyze a contemporary issue in international trade and investment law. Students will apply legal frameworks and course concepts to a real-world problem or case study.
Topics may include:
WTO disputes and trade conflicts
Investor–State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) cases
Trade and climate change
Digital trade and emerging technologies
ESG and corporate accountability
Energy transitions and international investment law
Structure
Students should:
Introduce the legal and policy context of the topic
Analyze relevant legal frameworks and cases
Evaluate competing perspectives and implications
Provide critical insights and recommendations
Deliverables
Recorded presentation (15–20 minutes)
PowerPoint slides submitted in advance
Grading Criteria
Content (30%): Depth of legal and policy analysis
Organization (20%): Clarity and logical structure
Presentation Skills (30%): Communication and engagement
Creativity and Insight (20%): Originality and critical thinking