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  6. LS5549: The Use of Force in International Law

LS5549: THE USE OF FORCE IN INTERNATIONAL LAW (2014-2015)

Last modified: 28 Jun 2018 10:27


Course Overview

The course analyses how international law regulates the use of force between States. The course will first study the fundamental principle of the prohibition on the use of force between States. It will then examine the current exceptions to this principle, and how States try to justify the use of force. In doing so, the course will study the most recent recourses to force on the international plane, in particular in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya. Teaching will be delivered through discussion based seminars. Assessment is based on the drafting of an essay and an exam.

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Session Second Sub Session Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Irène Couzigou

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

None.

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The course aims to analyse how international law regulates the use of force between States. It is of interest to every student who wants to understand the legal considerations which frame contemporary conflicts, including conflicts in securing energy supply. The course will first analyse the fundamental principle of the prohibition of the use of force between States. It will then examine the current exceptions to this principle, and, further, what types of arguments States tend to use to “justify” the use of force in international relations, and how international legal scholars have addressed this issue. In doing so, the course will study how the international community has reacted to the most recent use of force on the international plane, in particular in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya and Mali. Finally, the course will consider the limits of the legal standards concerning the use of force to react against a new threat to international peace and security: cyber attacks. The course will include: (1) Introduction to the course (2) The prohibition on the use of force (3) Authorisation by the UN Security Council to use force (4) The right to self-defence (5) The controversial scope of the right to self-defence (6) Oral presentations by students (7) Humanitarian intervention (8) Responsibility to protect (9) Cyber attacks and international law on the use of force (10) Correction of the essay and preparation of the exam.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

First attempt: 2,500 word essay (25%); examination of 3 hours (75%). Re-sit Attempt: 3 hour examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Feedback

None.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.
 

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