Study

This seminar will examine the international law of armed conflict, focusing on the jus in bello. Students will consider the rationale for the key concepts of the law of armed conflict and examine their practical application in various contexts. Case studies (including the wars in Ukraine and Israel, as well as other contemporary and historical conflicts) will be examined alongside the topics covered. This historical context for the law of armed conflict — agreements, the status of conflicts, combatants and civilians, targeting, rules of engagement, and war crimes—is among the topics the class will address. In addition, the impact of technologies related to artificial intelligence, drones, cyber, and space on conflicts will be examined. Students are encouraged to relate legal and interdisciplinary sources to better understand the multifaceted interaction between law and war. There is no examination for this course, but a 30-page paper (constituting 65% of the grade) is required on a legal topic chosen by the student and approved by the instructor. Students desiring to use the course paper to fulfill the Substantial Research and Writing Project (SRWP) and possibly other writing requirements must obtain instructor approval. The remainder of the grade (35%) is based on the quality and frequency of class participation. Students should be aware that this course may include discussion and visual depictions (still and video) of armed conflict and other acts of extreme violence.  Students will be expected to attend at least part of the 31st Annual National Security Law Conference, Feb 27-28, in lieu of class on Mar 2. The textbook for this course is Gary D. Solis's The Law of Armed Conflict: International Humanitarian Law in War (3rd ed., 2021).

Spring 2026

Course Number	Course Credits	Evaluation Method	Instructor
546.01	3	Reflective Writing Research paper, 25+ pages Oral presentation Class participation	Charles J. Dunlap, Jr.
Canvas site: https://canvas.duke.edu/courses/74851