(LAW 5051) In this class we will explore the ethical norms and international legal rules that influence decisions to go to war, the conduct of military operations in war, and accountability for violations of the laws of war. After exploring some of the foundations of just war theory and the law of armed conflict, we will engage in an in-depth examination of a series of current issues and challenges in the field. Questions we will address include the following: 1. What kinds of security threats or humanitarian dangers justify recourse to war? 2. Do states comply with the law of war, and if so, why? 3. How do the "rules of war" apply in non-traditional, asymmetric conflicts between states and nonstate groups? 4. How are just war and law of armed conflict principles reflected in other cultures? 5. To what extent does international law reflect just war theory? How and when do they deviate from one another? 6. What are the main critical challenges to traditional just war theory and the legal regime governing the use of force? Students will write research papers in this class addressing how ethical and legal norms regarding war operate in such contexts as in government decision-making, in legal debates regarding the interpretation of the law, on the battlefield, and in courts and tribunals. In addition to class sessions led by the instructors, students will have the opportunity to present their work related to the research problem they will be addressing in their final research papers. Elements used in grading: Class participation, final paper. Cross-listed with International Policy ( INTLPOL INTLPOL 250) and Political Science ( POLISCI INTLPOL 315). This class is limited to a combined total of INTLPOL 20 students across all course offerings ( LAW 5051, INTLPOL INTLPOL 250, & POLISCI INTLPOL 315). Students who enroll in the International Policy ( INTLPOL INTLPOL 250) or Political Science ( POLISCI INTLPOL 315) may enroll from 3-5 units. CONSENT APPLICATION: To apply for this course, students must complete and submit a Consent Application Form available at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1HK6DN3rSdVTFpxtZP7NUTjeQyMjx1aA2Jf7QomlPdtU/edit. See Consent Application Form for instructions and submission deadline.
3-5 units · Letter or Credit/No Credit
(LAW 5051) In this class we will explore the ethical norms and international legal rules that influence decisions to go to war, the conduct of military operations in war, and accountability for violations of the laws of war. After exploring some of the foundations of just war theory and the law of armed conflict, we will engage in an in-depth examination of a series of current issues and challenges in the field. Questions we will address include the following: 1. What kinds of security threats or humanitarian dangers justify recourse to war? 2. Do states comply with the law of war, and if so, why? 3. How do the "rules of war" apply in non-traditional, asymmetric conflicts between states and nonstate groups? 4. How are just war and law of armed conflict principles reflected in other cultures? 5. To what extent does international law reflect just war theory? How and when do they deviate from one another? 6. What are the main critical challenges to traditional just war theory and the legal regime governing the use of force? Students will write research papers in this class addressing how ethical and legal norms regarding war operate in such contexts as in government decision-making, in legal debates regarding the interpretation of the law, on the battlefield, and in courts and tribunals. In addition to class sessions led by the instructors, students will have the opportunity to present their work related to the research problem they will be addressing in their final research papers. Elements used in grading: Class participation, final paper. Cross-listed with International Policy ( INTLPOL 250) and Political Science ( POLISCI 315). This class is limited to a combined total of 20 students across all course offerings ( LAW 5051, INTLPOL 250, & POLISCI 315). Students who enroll in the International Policy ( INTLPOL 250) or Political Science ( POLISCI 315) may enroll from 3-5 units. CONSENT APPLICATION: To apply for this course, students must complete and submit a Consent Application Form available at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1HK6DN3rSdVTFpxtZP7NUTjeQyMjx1aA2Jf7QomlPdtU/edit. See Consent Application Form for instructions and submission deadline.
Offered in Spring 2026 at Stanford University.