The field of international law is one of the most dynamic areas of the law, and its principles are often applied in addressing the complex security problems facing our nation. This course will familiarize cadets with the body of rules and expectations which govern the rights and obligations of states and international organizations, during both times of peace and conflict. In particular, this course will emphasize the aspects of international law that are relevant to the operational and tactical problems that officers will confront as they deploy overseas. This course will integrate some themes from other courses in the Department of Law and reinforce some fundamental principles officers will confront as they seek to understand the relationship between law, diplomacy, and military operations.
The field of international law is one of the most dynamic areas of the law, and its principles are often applied in addressing the complex security problems facing our nation. This course will familiarize cadets with the body of rules and expectations which govern the rights and obligations of states and international organizations, during both times of peace and conflict. In particular, this course will emphasize the aspects of international law that are relevant to the operational and tactical problems that officers will confront as they deploy overseas. This course will integrate some themes from other courses in the Department of Law and reinforce some fundamental principles officers will confront as they seek to understand the relationship between law, diplomacy, and military operations.
The field of international law is one of the most dynamic areas of the law, and its principles are often applied in addressing the complex security problems facing our nation. This course will familiarize cadets with the body of rules and expectations which govern the rights and obligations of states and international organizations, during both times of peace and conflict. In particular, this course will emphasize the aspects of international law that are relevant to the operational and tactical problems that officers will confront as they deploy overseas. This course will integrate some themes from other courses in the Department of Law and reinforce some fundamental principles officers will confront as they seek to understand the relationship between law, diplomacy, and military operations.
LW 481 is a required course for cadets seeking to graduate with an American Legal System major or field of study. The field of international law is one of the most dynamic areas of the law, and its principles are often applied in addressing the complex security problems facing our nation. This course will familiarize you with the body of rules and expectations which govern the rights and obligations of states and international organizations, during both times of peace and conflict. In particular, this course will emphasize the aspects of international law that are relevant to the operational and tactical problems that you will confront as you deploy overseas. This course will integrate some themes from other courses in the Department of Law and reinforce some fundamental principles you will confront as you seek to understand the relationship between law, diplomacy, and military operations.
Cadets study the sources and development of international law through the actions of states, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations. The course is divided into four distinct but related parts. The first part introduces students to general principles of international law. In the second part cadets examine international use of force rules through various case studies involving both multilateral and unilateral action. The third part is devoted to human rights law. Cadets study major international human rights documents: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the European and American Conventions of Human Rights. The class also covers important topics such as derogation of human rights, cultural relativism, and the international mechanisms for enforcement of human rights. The last part of the course is devoted to a study of international judicial bodies, the International Court of Justice, regional international courts, the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, and the role of amnesty in the international system is discussed.
