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LS5549: THE USE OF FORCE IN INTERNATIONAL LAW (2017-2018)

Last modified: 27 Feb 2018 11:15


Course Overview

The course analyses how international law regulates the use of armed forces between States.  It is of interest to  students who want to understand the legal considerations which frame contemporary conflicts. The course will  study the fundamental principle of the prohibition on the use of inter-State force. It will examine the current exceptions to this principle, and how States try to justify the use of force. Consequently, the course will study the most recent recourses to force on the international plane, in particular in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Ukraine. Teaching will be delivered mainly through discussion based seminars.

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

Qualification Prerequisites

None.

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

  • Any Postgraduate Programme (Studied)
  • One of Law (LS) (Studied) or MSc Strategic Studies and International Law (Studied) or MSc International Relations and International Law (Studied) or MSc Strategic Studies (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

  • Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (Studied)

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The course aims to analyse how international law regulates the use of armed force between States. It is of interest to every student who wants to understand the legal considerations which frame contemporary conflicts. The course will first analyse 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 how the international community has reacted to the most recent recourses to force on the international plane, in particular in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Ukraine.


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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