Course Catalogue

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This course explores the role of international law in the prevention, regulation, and resolution of armed conflict. Encompassing several bodies of international law, namely the law on the use of force, the law of armed conflict (international humanitarian law), international criminal law, international human rights law, and international environmental law, the course is divided into three parts. The first part focuses on the law governing the use of force and prohibiting war, while the second part of the course examines the laws that apply during armed conflict. The third part explores transitions from conflict to peace through a legal lens. The course concludes with a treaty simulation exercise. Throughout the course, examples from real-world conflicts will be discussed for practical and critical application of the relevant laws.

Weekly 2-hour seminars

Available to LLB students and visiting law students.

None.

None.

The summative assessment consists of two essays: one essay that is both formative and summative, 2000 words (30% of the overall grade) and one that is purely summative, 3000 words (70% of the overall grade).

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

The aim of this course is to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the role of international law in the prevention, regulation, and resolution of armed conflict. As armed conflict persists as a significant challenge to peace and security in an increasingly violent world, the course aims to provide a foundation for critical understanding of the current state of the law, its evolution, and the contemporary challenges it faces. By looking at armed conflict as a phenomenon that implicates different rules and institutions in various areas of international law, the course aims to instigate holistic and analytical knowledge and thinking. Students will be exposed to real-world conflict scenarios, developing their ability to apply abstract rules to facts and to critically evaluate the complex roles of law in situations of armed conflict. The course adopts an experiential learning approach also by including a treaty negotiation simulation, which will provide students with insights into how international law is made and foster students' skills in oral argumentation, consensus-building, and legal writing.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. explain how different bodies of international law respond to distinct issues of armed conflict,

2. demonstrate an understanding of the relevant legal rules within these bodies of law,

3. apply and analyse abstract legal rules in practical conflict scenarios,

4. identify and critically assess the gaps and shortcomings of international law in relation to the prevention, regulation, and resolution of armed conflict,

5. construct and present evidence-based legal arguments orally or in writing, both individually and where appropriate as part of a team.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.