| Unit name | International Law and the Use of Force |
|---|---|
| Unit code | LAWDM0111 |
| Credit points | 30 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Bjorge |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | University of Bristol Law School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
The unit explores the theory and practice of the international law of force and collective security, and considers the relevant rules of the UN Charter and of customary international law. It also discusses the authority of the UN Security Council under Chapter VII, and the jurisprudence of the International Court of Justice, and of municipal courts. The unit examines the various forms of recourse to force, including self-defence, reprisals, aggression, armed attack, and intervention, as well as the policy of targeted killing, as carried out by the United States and Israel. It also explores legal and policy-related dimensions of contemporary conflicts, including Afghanistan, Kosovo, Iraq, Georgia, Somalia, Libya, Syria and Ukraine.
By the end of the academic year, a successful student will be able to explain: a) the various layers of regulation of force (UN Charter, customary international law, b) the role and function of the UN Security Council and of the International Court of Justice, c) different forms of legal, illegal, or legitimate forms of recourse to the use of force. Students will also be able to assess the instances of recourse to force regarding their legality, and advise policy-makers on the decisions they have to make, and on the alternatives they face (unilateral or multilateral action, ex ante or ex post authorization from the UNSC). Students will be able to state international law accurately, apply the relevant rules and principles in situations of conflict, and think critically about the role of force in contemporary international relations, including the 'war on terror'.
The contact hours for this unit will be 30 hours. This will usually take the form of: 8 lectures, 10 two-hour seminars and 2 assessment preparation and feedback sessions.
Summative: a 2000 word essay (33%) will assess the candidate's ability to research a topic within the scope of this unit. The remaining Intended Learning Outcomes will be assessed in a 3 hour written examination (67%). Both assessments will assess all of the Intended Learning Outcomes for this unit in the context of topics selected by the examiners.
Formative: students should do one formative assessment (this will usually be 1 x 1500 word essay).
