- Acquire foundational knowledge of IHL, ensuring students understand its basic principles and framework.
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of relevant international treaties and the specific contexts in which the law of armed conflict is applicable.
- Enhance the ability to analyze contemporary events, applying the principles of IHL to real-world scenarios and understanding its practical implications on the ground.
- Examine and engage with contemporary debates surrounding armed conflicts and situations involving armed violence, situating these discussions within the broader context of IHL.
- Gain a thorough understanding of the substantive legal rules of IHL, including their practical implementation in various contexts.
- Apply the rules and principles of IHL to specific case studies, demonstrating the ability to navigate complex legal issues in real-life situations.
Syllabus
The course will be taught in four blocks.
With regard to topics covered, it will focus on IHL (and international law) topics occurring in the thought-provoking movie "Eye in the Sky:
- Legal foundations of the use of force under international law - Fundamental principles of IHL and their application in practice - Non-state actors in LOAC
- Cyber warfare and international law and specifically in IHL.
- Targeted and extra-judicial killings under international law - Use of drones and other UAVs from the viewpoint of international law
- Application of LOAC in international military missions (esp. Rules of Engagement) - Compensation for victims of LOAC violations.
