Social Sciences

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the international legal framework governing the use of force and the conduct of hostilities between states. It begins by examining war as a concept in international relations and explores the fundamental principles underlying the prohibition on the inter-state use of force. Students will study the key exceptions to this prohibition, including self-defense and other legally recognized justifications. The course then delves into the law of armed conflict—its history, sources, and the classification of conflicts—alongside the rules governing targeting and conduct during warfare. It further introduces the basics of international criminal law, the protection of human rights in armed conflict, and contemporary challenges such as targeted killings, the use of AI and cyber operations under international law. Drawing on Craig Martin’s notion of the “Laws of War,” the course aims to equip students with an understanding of how international law seeks to balance state sovereignty, security, and humanitarian concerns in times of conflict.

Topics to be covered:
1.    Introduction to war as a concept in international relations
2.    Introduction to the law on inter-state use of force: the prohibition on the use of force
3.    Introduction to the law on inter-state use of force: the concept of self-defense
4.    Introduction to the law on inter-state use of force: other exceptions from the prohibition on the use of force
5.    Introduction to the law of armed conflict: history and sources, classification of armed conflicts
6.    Introduction to the law of armed conflict: law of targeting
7.    Introduction to international criminal law: history and current institution
8.    Introduction to international criminal law: crimes and the case law of the International Criminal Court
9.    Human rights and armed conflict
10.    Targeted killings in international law
11.    Cyber operations in international law