Laws of War (International Humanitarian Law)

International humanitarian law (IHL) is the body of rules that governs how wars are fought. IHL sits at the center of many of today's most global crises, shaping how we understand and judge violence in conflicts from Ukraine and Palestine to Iran and Sudan. IHL determines who is protected, what is permitted, and how power is justified-or condemned-on the world stage. It also frames the legal and moral arguments used by states and armed groups to justify their actions during armed conflict. This seminar is designed to both ground and challenge you. First, it offers a clear and accessible introduction to the history, rules and corse principles of IHL. Second, it pushes into the field's most challenging questions, where the law meets ambiguity, politics and technological change. We will examine how IHL regulates the conduct of hostilities, protects civilians and prisoners of war, and defines participation in conflict. We will also grapple with contested issues such as the impact of emerging technologies, the gendered dimensions of conflict, the relationship between IHL and human rights law, and what avenues for accountability exist when IHL is violated.