Spring 2013
    Law No.: LAW9196
    Sched. No.: 113219356

Laws of War: Contemporary Debates*
Section 1
X
Deeks, Ashley



Administrative Information:
During SIS enrollment, check on SIS for real-time enrollment numbers
Days, Times (Room):R, 1600-1800 (WB127)
Credits:3Type:Seminar
Capacity:16 **This information is current as of 05/23/2013 06:18:36 AM**
Current Enrollment:15 **This information is current as of 05/23/2013 06:18:36 AM**
Syllabus: View Syllabus (requires LawWeb account)



Course Description:

The laws of war seek to reconcile the realities of armed conflict with humanitarian concerns for people affected by those conflicts. Though these laws have deep historical roots, the complexities of modern conflicts and quickly-shifting technologies make the rules both increasingly relevant and increasingly challenging to apply. This seminar will examine four new phenomena that are placing stress on the system: new actors fighting armed conflicts (terrorist groups, private contractors); new weapons (drones, robots, and cyber weapons); new public scrutiny (Wikileaks, embedded journalists); and an expanding role for courts in adjudicating how states should apply the laws of war (Guantanamo habeas cases). Each week we will explore one or more existing law of war principles and – using events such as the conflict in Syria and U.S. targeting of al Qaeda members in Yemen – consider how these new developments challenge our traditional understandings of the law. Specific topics covered include detention, the rules of proportionality and distinction, the regulation of weapons, and the relevance of human rights law during armed conflict.

PREREQUISITE: International Law recommended, but not required
COURSE REQUIREMENT: Seven three-page papers. NOTE: Students seeking to satisfy the upper-level writing requirement must submit a completed Writing Requirement Intent Form to the Student Records Office no later than February 22, 2013.

Prerequisites:International Law recommended, but not required