IR5048 International Law and International Security

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Tuesdays 2.00pm - 4.00pm

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr A T Stimmer

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Anette Stimmer

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Some scholars doubt international law’s relevance, particularly when it comes to international security, because there is no enforcement authority in international affairs. Other scholars have identified mechanisms through which international law can tame power and affect decision-making in security matters. This course discusses these different views. Topics include the emergence of international law, compliance, the relationship between international law and power, the (in)dependent agency of international courts and tribunals, and small states’ influence on international law. We will discuss a wide variety of case studies from security affairs, including the establishment and contestation of the International Criminal Court, the design of the Chemical and Biological Weapons Conventions, the campaign to legalise compensation for civilians accidentally harmed in acts of war as well as recent decisions to use force (Russia-Ukraine War, 2003 Iraq War, 2011 no-fly zone over Libya).

Assessment pattern

50% coursework and 50% written examination

Re-assessment

100% written examination

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 hr seminar (x 11 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

22

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

270

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Be able to analyse the politics behind international law
  • Be able to understand how different international relations theories conceptualise the emergence and use of international law in security affairs
  • Be able to critically evaluate whether international law can influence security decisions
  • Be able to apply theories about international law to a range of different topis in international security affairs
  • Be able to critically examine how different actors use international law to further their interests and values in security affairs
  • Be able to understand the nuanced relationship between international law and (material) power