Seminar: Territorial Conflicts and International Law - Current Challenges

The concept of territory is at the core of modern international law, which provides a comprehensive set of rules for its acquisition and forfeiture. Yet universal respect for these rules remains elusive, as illustrated, most recently, by the Russian attack on Ukraine.

In our seminar, territorial disputes will serve to illustrate both the failings and the strengths of the international legal order. Applying a wide geographic and temporal scope, students will address specific territorial conflicts (possible topics may range from Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, the South China Sea, Kosovo, Gibraltar, the Falklands, Nagorno-Karabakh, the Aegean Sea, Cyprus and the Chagos Archipelago to the Arctic and even to Outer Space). We will discuss how these conflicts reflect the development of international law, and analyse how international law may serve to contain, manage and overcome territorial disputes.

The seminar is organised jointly by the University of Basel (Prof. Andreas Th. Müller) and the University of Zurich (Prof. Lorenz Langer). An introductory session will take place in Zurich on November 14, 2:15 - c. 4 p.m. (UZH, Room: KOL-E-13, "Senatszimmer"), where topics will be assigned. The seminar will be held on April 25 and 26 at the Villa Castelen (Kaiseraugst), where students are expected to present the conclusions of their written work (BLaw or MLaw thesis, to be handed in on March 10, 2024). 

Students from Zurich may opt to commute to Castelen on two consecutive days or to stay in or near Basel (where we envisage a joint booking at the Youth Hostel); the costs for accommodation may vary accordingly. In addition, a small contribution towards expenses (c. CHF 50) will be due.