The use of force in international law

Course reviews

• 
  Varun Raj Surepalli 23 February 2026 1:49AM

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  This course offers a clear, well-structured introduction to one of the most important areas of public international law: the regulation of force between states and the conduct of warfare. It logically progresses from the historical development of the “just war” doctrine to the post-1945 UN Charter framework, explaining the general prohibition on the use of force under Article 2(4) and its two key exceptions—Security Council authorization and self-defence under Article 51. The inclusion of major ICJ cases such as Nicaragua and the Wall Advisory Opinion strengthens its doctrinal foundation and helps students understand necessity, proportionality, and the meaning of “armed attack.”
  The course also effectively distinguishes between jus ad bellum (when force may be used) and jus in bello (how force must be conducted), providing a concise but solid overview of International Humanitarian Law, including the Geneva Conventions, Common Article 3, and the protection of civilians. Its discussion of contemporary challenges—terrorism, non-state actors, pre-emptive self-defence, humanitarian intervention, and the Responsibility to Protect—encourages critical thinking about the tension between legality and morality in international relations.
  
  While the material is primarily introductory and does not engage deeply with advanced theoretical debates or recent geopolitical developments, it succeeds as a strong foundational course. Overall, it is academically sound, balanced, and particularly useful for undergraduate law students seeking to build clear conceptual understanding and analytical skills in international law.

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• 
  Diego Alonso Rotta Valverde 10 November 2025 4:59AM

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  Great course

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