International Law and the Use of Force

Catalog description

This course addresses contemporary challenges to the international law relating to the use of force and is designed to introduce students to both jus ad bellum (the recourse to force) and jus in bello (conduct in war). We will explore both the circumstances that legally justify the use of force, including a discussion of self defense, humanitarian intervention, counter-piracy, and counter-terrorism, including drone strikes. We then investigate international humanitarian law, the set of principles that seek, for humanitarian reasons, to limit the effects of armed conflict. Here we will include a discussion of the implications of nuclear weapons and autonomous weapons. The course will rely on legal analysis of questions relating to the use of force, while also covering case studies and current news events.