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LS5549: THE USE OF FORCE IN INTERNATIONAL LAW (2024-2025)

Last modified: 23 Jul 2024 11:10


Course Overview

The course aims to develop an in-depth and critical appreciation of current issues in the area of the use of armed force in International Law. The course is of interest to students who want to understand the legal considerations which frame contemporary conflicts.

The course will first analyse the fundamental principle of the prohibition of the use of force between States. It will then examine the current exceptions to this principle (e.g., right to self-defence, authorisation to use force given by the UN Security Council); further, what types of arguments States tend to use to justify the resort to force. Consequently, the course will study the most recent recourses to force on the international plane (in particular, in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Libya, Palestine, Syria, and Ukraine).

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Term Second Term Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Professor Irene Couzigou

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • One of Law (LS) or MSc Strategic Studies and International Law (Studied) or MSc International Relations and International Law (Studied) or MSc Strategic Studies (Studied)
  • Any Postgraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

  • Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (Studied)

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The course aims to develop an in-depth and critical appreciation of current issues in the area of the use of armed force in International Law. The course is of interest to students who want to understand the legal considerations which frame contemporary conflicts.

The course will first analyse the fundamental principle of the prohibition of the use of force between States. It will then examine the current exceptions to this principle (e.g., right to self-defence, authorisation to use force given by the UN Security Council); further, what types of arguments States tend to use to justify the resort to force. Consequently, the course will study the most recent recourses to force on the international plane (in particular, in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Libya, Palestine, Syria, and Ukraine).


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

Feedback will be provided within three weeks from the date of submission.

Word Count 1000
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Online Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 60
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

Online Exam consisting of three questions.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Class Test - Multiple Choice Questions

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 10
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

Feedback will be provided within three weeks from the date of submission.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Resit Failed Elements in same format

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

if due to extenuating circumstances.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualRememberILO’s for this course are available in the course guide.

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