Module: International Law & Conflict

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	International Law & Conflict
Module Code	LAW1071 (ITS: LG566)
Faculty	Law & Government	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

The purpose of this module is to examine the way in which the use of force is regulated under international law. The historical, societal and philosophical perspectives of the jus ad bellum will be examined and evaluated. In this module students will investigate the legal framework, contained in the UN Charter and customary law which restricts the way in which states can employ force against each other. Case studies and simulations will be used to illustrate the efficacy of the legal framework. This module provides a platform of knowledge whereby students can evaluate international legislation and state practice in relation to the use of force in various instances, e.g. wars of national liberation, self-defence, response to acts of terrorism etc. Students are expected to attend weekly lectures and undertake case studies and simulation exercises. They are also expected to research and read relevant articles and contribute to class discussion.

Learning Outcomes

1. Locate the legal framework which regulates the use of force by States within the paradigm of public international law
2. Analyse the development of this legal framework, including both customary and international law
3. Apply the legal framework to scenarios and problem questions
4. Debate the effectiveness of the legal framework with reference to international law provisions, State practice and academic commentary
5. Defend and justify his / her opinions in relation to the legal framework in written and oral format

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	2 hour lecture. Class discussion. Group work. Simulations. Case studies
Independent Study	101	Ressearch, Reading, Assignment Preparation
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10911	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	James Gallen	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	n/a	60%	Week 1
Project	n/a	40%	Week 1

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Jus ad bellum history and development
The restraint on the use of force in early societies and the development of the Just War doctrine.

Traditional Appraoches to Jus ad bellum
The development of the rules of traditional international law on the use of force, e.g. the recognition of rebellion, insurgency and belligerency.

Conventional law
The Conventional restraint on the use of force pre-1945, e.g. The Covenant of the League of Nations, the Kellogg-Briand etc.

UN framework on use of force
The prohibition of the use of force in the UN Charter; Article 2(4). The exceptions to Article 2(4) - self-defence (Article 51) and Chapter VII peace-enforcement actions.

Case studies
How have states used force in circumstances of humanitarian intervention, wars of national liberation etc?

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Abiew: 1999, The evolution of the doctrine and practice of humanitarian intervention, Kluwer Law International, The Hague, Boston,
Arend & Beck: 1993, International Law and the Use of Force, Routledge, London & new York,
Best: 1994, War and Law since 1945, Clarendon Press, Oxford,
Brownlie: 1963, International Law and the Use of Force by States, Clarendon Press, Oxford,
Cassese: 1986, The Current legal regulation of the use of force, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Dordecht, The Netherlands, Boston,
Brownlie: 2009, Principles of Public International Law, 7th, OUP, Oxford,
Claude: 1984, Swords into Ploughshares, 4th, McGraw-Hill Inc., New York,
Dinstein: 2005, War, Aggression and Self-Defence, 4th, CUP, Cambridge,
Findlay: 2002, The use of force in UN peace operations, OUP, Oxford, New York,
Franck: 2002, Recourse to Force, CUP, Cambridge,
Gray: 2008, International Law and the use of force, 3rd, OUP, Oxford,
Walzer: 2000, Just and Unjust Wars, 3rd, Basic Books, New York,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

Moodle: Class Notes and Other Relevant Resources are available on the Moodle page for the Module,