LL4A8 Half Unit
International Law and the Use of Force
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Devika Hovell
Availability
This course is available on the LLM (extended part-time), LLM (full-time), MSc in Gender (Rights and Human Rights), MSc in Gender, Peace and Security, MSc in Human Rights, MSc in Law and Finance and University of Pennsylvania Law School LLM Visiting Students. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
How to apply: Priority will be given initially to LLM, MSc Regulation and MSc Law and Finance students on a first-come-first-served allocation.
Spaces permitting, requests from all other students will be processed on the same first-come-first-served allocation from 10am on Thursday 2 October 2025
By submitting an application, students are confirming that they meet any pre-requisites specified. Providing an additional written statement will not aid a student's chances of being accepted onto a course, and statements are not read.
Deadline for application: Not applicable
For queries contact: Law.llm@lse.ac.uk
This course is capped at 30 students. Students must apply through Graduate Course Choice on LSEforYou.
Requisites
Additional requisites:
Some prior knowledge of international law is useful but not essential.
Course content
The use of force is prohibited in international law. This simple but fundamental legal principle can be obscured by a geo-political context littered with conflict and threatened conflict where the exceptions are more often seen as the rule. Relatedly, there can be a tendency to dismiss international law as a ‘marginal enterprise’ at moments of political crisis. Nevertheless, states continue to refer to legal justifications when they resort to force. The practice of states, even that forged in heated times of war and crisis, can harden into enduring legal principles unless debated, criticized and ultimately objected to in the aftermath. In this course, we consider the complex mix of law and politics at the heart of the legal regime for the use of force. We focus on the development and interpretation of the prohibition of the use of force and its two key exceptions, Security Council authorization and self-defence. We also look at other claimed or emerging exceptions, including humanitarian intervention, protection of nationals and self-determination. Finally, we consider the concept of ‘war as crime’ and consider the potential and pitfalls of recognition of the crime of aggression.
Teaching
20 hours of seminars in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
Formative assessment
One 1500 word essay.
Indicative reading
A detailed reading list will be issued on Moodle. For a comprehensive textbook, see Christine Gray, International Law and the Use of Force (4th ed., 2018).
Assessment
Exam (100%), duration: 150 Minutes in the Spring exam period
Key facts
Department: LSE Law School
Course Study Period: Autumn Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 20
Average class size 2024/25: 20
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
For this course, please see the following link/s:
LL4A8 International Law and the Use of Force https://youtu.be/M5B__ZMu-vs
Personal development skills
- Communication
- Specialist skills