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Lecturer(s)
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Faix Martin, JUDr. Ph.D.
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Bradley Martha Magdalena, prof.
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Course content
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The course will proceed in the following order; the lecturer reserves the right to make changes during the course. Changes will be, if possible, announced in advance.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training)
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Learning outcomes
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Use of force in international relations is a topic omnipresent in the media, international practice and academic writing. More importantly, as its prohibition by a peremptory norm of international law shows, it is an aspect of utmost importance for the existence international community. Nevertheless, the international legal foundations of the use of force are being constantly challenged, which makes participation in an academic course focusing on questions of the use of force (ius ad/contra bellum) and laws applicable when there is a war (ius in bello) an interesting, but at the same time also a challenging undertaking. In this course, students will be introduced to major aspects of international law on the prohibition of use of force and the law of armed conflict (LOAC). Participants who have successfully completed this course should have a sound knowledge of and understand the prohibition of the use of force and its exceptions, as well as the current debates on some major aspects of this topic. Students should also gain basic knowledge of historical developments of the law of armed conflict, understand thoroughly relevant international treaties (especially the four Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols) and the scope of application of LOAC, and finally have an appreciation of some of the contemporary debates which have occurred in the context of recent conflicts (Iraq, Libya). It is intended to include lectures of professionals in this course, such as members of the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic.
Participants who have successfully completed this course should have a sound knowledge of and understand the prohibition of the use of force and its exceptions, as well as the current debates on some major aspects of this topic. Students should also gain basic knowledge of historical developments of the law of armed conflict, understand thoroughly relevant international treaties (especially the four Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols) and the scope of application of LOAC, and finally have an appreciation of some of the contemporary debates which have occurred in the context of recent conflicts (Iraq, Libya).
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Prerequisites
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The completion of this course is not conditioned upon completion of any other courses.
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Student performance
Students will be required to participate actively in the classes (students will be expected to present their views on the issues when asked and to respond to questions in the class), follow the current developments in international community, work with relevant documents and literature and fulfil tasks assigned to them. Please note that reading and other preparation for the course will be expected. You are also required to check the electronic blackboard regularly for materials and announcements. The final assessment will consist of (and your grade will be based on): " Attendance 12 % " Active participation 11 % " Oral presentation 27 % " Final exam (written) 50 % Detailed explanation of means of assessment and of topics for presentations will be given to students in the first lecture of the course. Each group (max. 3 people) will be assigned a topic on which it prepares an in-class presentation. The topics of the presentations are indicated below. Presentations should be creative, informative and establish a clear link to the respective course topic. The length of presentations shall not exceed 15 minutes (you will be stopped after 15 min.). Each presentation must be accompanied by a handout (max. 2 pages) for your colleagues. The handout shall summarize your findings in brief and give your colleagues an overview about the topic of your presentation. Each group member must participate in the in-class presentation in order to receive credit for the assignment. Groups must turn in their presentation and the handout to the lecturer one week before the in class presentation at the latest, both in hardcopy and via email. Finally, please ensure that your presentations meet the standard formal requirements (bibliography, etc.). In case of plagiarism, you will receive an F in the course.
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Recommended literature
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Dinstein, Y. (2005). War, Aggression and Self-Defence, 4th ed.. Cambridge University Press.
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Gasser, H.P. (1993). Introduction into International Humanitarian Law. Separate Print from H. Haug: Humanity for All.. Bern-Stuttgart-Vienna.
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Gray, Ch. (2008). International Law and the Use of Force 3rd ed. Oxford University Press.
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