IS 451 - Law of Armed Conflict

Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Credit Hours: 3

This course introduces students to the body of law that regulates conduct during armed conflict, known as the Law of Armed Conflict or International Humanitarian Law. Students will learn the history and key principles underlying the law, as well as the various categories of law and relevant treaties. Particular areas of concentration include the distinction between military and non-military targets, the treatment of civilians and other non-combatants, and the regulation of weaponry. Additional relevant bodies of law will also be covered including those pertaining to the sea, sky, and space, human rights, criminal law, and cyberspace. Students will learn the body of law through classroom instruction and a series of individual and team exercises requiring legal problem-solving. Students will therefore learn not only the substance of the law, but also how to apply it to real-world conflict scenarios. They will gain a firm understanding of the subject by engaging critically and analytically with the law to build evidence-based logical arguments delivered through written and oral assignments.