International Law, Conflict and Strategy
| Module title | International Law, Conflict and Strategy |
|---|---|
| Module code | LAW3146 |
| Academic year | 2020/1 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Aurel Sari (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 60 |
|---|
Module description
The purpose of this module is to explore the relationship between international law and strategy. It provides you with an opportunity to study in greater depth the rules of international law governing conflict and security, the legal challenges presented by contemporary security threats and the impact that strategic considerations have on the development and application of international law. The module was designed and is taught jointly by the Law School and the Strategy and Security Institute, allowing you to benefit from the insights offered by both disciplines.
The first part of the module will provide you with a basic foundation in international law and strategic thought. The second part will ask you to engage with international law and strategy by focusing on four themes: the use of force in international relations, the regulation of warfare, the challenges posed by technology and the question of international accountability and justice. Each of these themes will examine a range of cases, conflicts and contemporary challenges—such as the global war on terror, intervention in Syria, cyber operations, drone warfare, hybrid threats, automated weapons and accountability for mass atrocities—to explore the competing legal and policy considerations involved. The third part of the course will revisit the relationship between international law and strategy from a practical perspective and draw some lessons.
There are no pre-requisites for this course. The module may be taken by students who have studied International Law and the United Kingdom (LAW2144). Students will be expected to attend at least one relevant seminar convened by the Exeter Centre for International Law to complement their work in class.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module draws on the research interests and expertise of the Law School and the Strategy and Security Institute to provide you with a unique insight into the interaction between international law and strategy. It allows you to study some of the most pressing contemporary legal and security dilemmas and thereby gain a detailed understanding of the rules of international conflict and security law and their application in practice.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. demonstrate a critical understanding of the key features of the international legal order and detailed knowledge of selected aspects of international conflict and security law;
- 2. demonstrate a critical understanding of the role that law plays in the international security environment and how strategic considerations shape the development and application of international law;
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. demonstrate a critical understanding of the role of law and legal argument as a constraining and enabling factor for political decision-making;
- 4. apply legal knowledge to complex problems and apply judgement when presented with competing policy imperatives;
- 5. select and process relevant information from a broad range of diverse primary and secondary materials;
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. prepare analytically compelling work with limited guidance that employs appropriate interpretative techniques and presents a nuanced line of argument;
- 7. engage in debate effectively and develop complex arguments and opinions with limited guidance;
- 8. demonstrate the ability to work independently, within a limited time frame, to complete a specified task.
Syllabus plan
The following syllabus plan is indicative and may be subject to change, including in response to current developments. Some content may be delivered by visiting lecturers.
The Context: Law, Conflict and Strategy
- foundations of public international law
- foundations of strategy
I. The Use of Force
- the rules governing the use of force
- the Global War on Terror: from Afghanistan to ‘unwilling and unable’
- responsibility to protect
II. The Conduct of Hostilities
- the law of armed conflict
- battlefield status and the law of targeting
- human rights and military operations
III. The Challenge of Technology
- the challenge of cyber warfare
- banning weapons: from the cross-bow to nuclear bombs
- killer robots, artificial intelligence and drones
IV. International Accountability and Justice
- selectivity in confronting evil: from Nuremberg to The Hague
- war crimes, genocide and other international crimes
- international criminal justice and its alternatives
Law, Conflict and Strategy: Some Lessons
- a practical perspective
- some conclusions
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 58 | 242 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 46 | 23 x 2 hour Lectures |
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 9 | 6 x 1.5 hour Workshops |
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 3 | Attendance at relevant Exeter Centre for Intenrational Law seminars |
| Guided independent study | 130 | Individual reading and lecture preparation |
| Guided independent study | 32 | Workshop preparation |
| Guided independent study | 60 | Summative assessment preparation |
| Guided independent study | 20 | Formative assessment preparation |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1,500 words | 1-7 | Individual written feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | 75 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 25 | 2,000 words | 1-10 | Individual written feedback, with supplementary oral feedback available |
| Examination | 75 | 2 hours and 15 minutes | 1-10 | Individual written feedback, with supplementary oral feedback available. |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay (2,000 words) | 1-7 | Summer referred / deferred period |
| Examination | Examination (2hr 15min) | 1-8 | Summer referred / deferred period |
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
D. Patrikarakos, War in 140 Characters: How Social Media Is Reshaping Conflict in the Twenty-First Century (2017).
L. Freedman, The Future of War: A History (2017).
T. Farrell, Unwinnable: Britain’s War in Afghanistan, 2001–2014 (2017).
D. Kilcullen, Out of the Mountains: The Coming Age of the Urban Guerrilla (2015).
V. Lowe, International Law (2007).
D. Armstrong, T. Farrell, H. Lambert, International Law and International Relations (2012).
P. Sands, Lawless World: Making and Breaking Global Rules (2nd edn, 2006).
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | 05/03/2014 |
| Last revision date | 12/08/20 |
