International Law and Contemporary conflicts

What is the role of international law in armed conflicts and in other situations of instability between states or within states? This course gives you a general understanding of the role of international law in various types of contemporary conflict situations.

What does the course lead to?

The course provides you with knowledge of systems, sources, actors and compliance mechanisms involved in international law, and about the rights and obligations that international legal actors have in various types of contemporary conflict situations.

Upon completing the course, you will be able to critically evaluate international legal arguments in the areas of law on which the course focuses. You will also be able to employ a practical international legal method to identify, formulate, analyse and answer international legal questions that arise in various types of contemporary conflict situations.

Course structure

The following areas of law are covered in the course:

• Foundations of international law
• International law of the UN Charter
• Human rights, with a focus on contemporary conflict situations
• International humanitarian law

The course is conducted in English and primarily comprises self-study, individual assignments and group work, complemented by teacher-led seminars and lectures.