THE LAW OF WAR AND PEACE

The course examines the law governing international conflict. A central debate (in which the students will engage), is the proposition that while law is assumed to prevent, constrain, and civilize war, it can also serve as an enabling vocabulary for conflict. The course addresses the dilemmas, assumptions, and policy choices involved in the regulation of conflict by means of law. The course also covers the law governing a state’s decision to go to war; the law of the use of force (jus ad bellum and jus in bello), humanitarian law, the involvement of international law in post-conflict situations and several related topics such as the notion of international crisis, collective security, humanitarian intervention and the responsibility to protect, the regime governing the use of nuclear and other weapons, the law of occupation, peacekeeping, the use of private armies and paramilitary groups. The course relies heavily on case studies and will examine in depth contemporary and historical cases of the use of force, such as Iraq, the Former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Entebbe and Syria, amongst others. Students will stage debates on legal and policy issues.

-To increase participating student's knowledge of important areas of International Humanitarian Law. -To introduce students to legal research and various sources of law. -To increase the participating student's interest in International Humanitarian Law. -To improve a participating student’s presentation and writing skills.

Every student will start the semester on 0 points for participation. During the class there are things that can gain (+) you points and things that can lose (-) you points. You cannot score any higher than 10 points. Things That Will Lose You Points: Littering = -1pt Excessive Mobile Phone Usage = -1pt Talking On A Phone During Class = -1pt No Book Or Note Book = -1pt No Pen/Pencil = -1pt Excessive Chatting = -1pt Eating Or Chewing Gum In Class = -1pt Sleeping In Class = -2pts Things That Will Gain You Points: Actively Participating In Class (Asking And Answering Questions) = +1pt Asking Questions During Case Presentations = +1pt Showing Evidence Of Reading The Textbook Chapters Ahead Of Class = +1pt NB: These can be added to if behaviour is deemed sufficiently appropriate or inappropriate to merit it.

None, but a good ability in English is essential.

International Humanitarian Law is an important subject in the study of International Relations, and is particularly poignant at the current time.