Dr Kirsten Ainley

This course is available on the MSc in China in Comparative Perspective, MSc in Global Politics, MSc in Human Rights, MSc in Human Rights and Politics, MSc in International Relations, MSc in International Relations (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in International Relations (Research), MSc in International Relations Theory and MSc in Theory and History of International Relations. This course is not available as an outside option.

An introduction to the politics of the creation and implementation of international law, intended for non-lawyers. The course focuses on the areas of international law most relevant to International Political Theory: human rights, the use of force and international crime, and examines the increasing legalization of international politics, the tensions between international politics and international law, alternatives to international law and international law post 9/11.

Watch a short introductory video on this course: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/internationalRelations/video/IR464-PIL-video.aspx

20 hours of seminars in the LT. 4 hours of seminars in the ST.

There are no lectures on the course, but there are a number of voluntary workshops as well as a voluntary class trip to international courts in The Hague. Students on this course will have a reading week in Week 6, in line with departmental policy

A 2000-2500 word essay.

Alter, K. The New Terrain of International Law (Princeton, 2014); Armstrong, D. International Law & International Relations (Cambridge, 2007); Bass, G Stay the Hand of Vengeance: The Politics of War Crimes Tribunals (Princeton UP, 2000); Charlesworth, H. & Chinkin, C. The Boundaries of International Law (Manchester UP, 2000); Koskenniemi, M. The Politics of International Law (Hart, 2011); Maogoto, J. War Crimes and Realpolitik: International Justice from World War I to the 21st Century (Lynn Rienner, 2004); McGoldrick, D. From 9-11 to the Iraq War 2003: International Law in an Age of Complexity (Hart Publishing, 2004); Orford, A. Reading Humaitarian Intervention (Cambridge, 2003); Reus-Smit, C. ed. The Politics of International Law (Cambridge, 2004); Simpson, G. Law, War & Crime (Polity, 2007).

Essay (100%, 4000 words) in the ST.

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.