Study

This fall-only seminar is designed to introduce students with limited (or no) familiarity with international law to principles involved in using force during periods of putative peace.  As a jus ad bellum seminar it will explore, for example, what circumstances constitute an “act of war” in various situations, including cyberspace. It will address some jus in bello issues but will not overlap significantly with the LAW 546 International Law of Armed Conflict which is expected to be offered in the Spring of 2025.

The structure of classes may vary, and students may be divided into sections, discussion groups, and panels. The course may include guest speakers (in-person or via Zoom).

This course is a deep dive into the use of force in international law. It will analyze the circumstances under which force can be used in self-defense and survey topics such as humanitarian intervention, hostage rescue, targeted killings, selected maritime law issues, selected neutrality law issues, potential flashpoints associated with air defense identification zones, and freedom of navigation operations.

We will also explore the legal aspects of international counterpiracy and counterterrorism operations. The course will also delve into efforts to limit the use of force in outer space, the implications of nuclear weapons, and the emergence of autonomous weaponry.

Each class will begin with a brief “in the news” section examining selected seminar-related issues of current interest that appear in the media.

There will be no class on Tuesday, November 5th, 2024. Instead, on Sunday, November 3rd, 2024, the class will meet from 3:30 to 6:00 pm at the Law School to view and discuss the film Eye in the Sky, a dramatic representation of a drone strike. Refreshments and snacks will be served.

The course requires a 20-page paper on a topic approved by the instructor.  It will comprise 60% of the grade; the other 40% will be based on class participation (which may also include some written products, e.g., reaction papers).

This seminar is designed to help students gain a comprehensive understanding of the practical aspects associated with the use of force. This includes an overview of weaponry, planning, and military techniques. By the end of the course, students should be equipped with practical knowledge that can be applied in real-world scenarios.

Students do not need to buy any books for this seminar, as all the texts are available online from the law library. The instructor may also provide other readings electronically.

This course obviously addresses the use of force in international law. Accordingly, class instruction will inevitably include written, oral, and visual depictions of physical force and violence—and occasionally extreme representations.

Fall 2024

Course Number	Course Credits	Evaluation Method	Instructor
227.01	2	Reflective Writing Research paper option, 25+ pages Research and/or analytical paper(s), 20+ pages Oral presentation Class participation	Charles J. Dunlap, Jr.
Canvas site: https://canvas.duke.edu/courses/41626