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3. Public International Law; Constitutional Law; Theory of Government.

Professor Minor.

The first part of this course is devoted to the study of Public International
Law. The various rules which regulate the intercourse of
nations amongst themselves are here considered—such as the principles
governing the origin, recognition, and equality of states; their rights in
time of peace, and the means whereby they peaceably procure the
enjoyment of those rights; the laws of war and the rights and duties
of belligerents; and finally the rules governing the relations of neutral
and belligerent states.

Private International Law, or the Conflict of Laws, which is a distinct
branch of the law, resting upon altogether different principles, is postponed
to the second year.

Following the lectures upon Public International Law, a series of
lectures will be delivered on the Theory and Practice of Government.
It is traced from its generally accepted origin in the family, through
its various stages, to the modern forms, and effort is made by reasoning
and comparison to show the benefits of good government, the dangers
of the bad.

In the study of Constitutional Law, close attention is given to the
judicial interpretation of the Federal Constitution, and to the great
constitutional principles prevailing throughout the Union. As occasion
requires, attention is called to the policy of various acts of legislation,
and the student is warned against such as tend to exceed the
limits of safe and constitutional restrictions. The checks and balances
of the constitution are duly noted, and that wherein it is weak alluded
to as well as that wherein it is strong. The Federal Constitution is
discussed section by section, noting the historical origin of the more
important provisions, with a close study of such subjects as ex post
facto laws, laws impairing the obligation of contracts, trial by jury, due
process of law, power of taxation and of eminent domain, the police
power, inter-state commerce, etc.

These subjects constitute one class, in which one examination only is
held.

September 15 to January 25—Twice a week.

Text-Books.—International Law: Davis.

Principles of Constitutional Law: Cooley.

The Professor's Notes.