Admission requirements
Only students of the MSc Crisis and Security Management can take this course.
Description
Throughout history, the battlefield has been used as an important testing ground for new technologies. In recent conflicts, we have seen a rapid increase of the exploitation and distribution of new technologies such as drones, artificial intelligence more broadly, or satellite systems. In this course, we will discuss the use of these technologies in war, both from a legal, ethical and political perspective. We will discuss the basic legal framework of the jus ad bellum and international humanitarian law and how emerging technologies pose challenges to the existing framework. Students will have to deliver an individual assignment about an existing conflict and the use of a specific technology in that conflict, and present their idea in front of the class. Additionally, students will have to provide feedback on at least two assignment outlines published by other students in the class. Class attendance is mandatory and class participation serves as a formative assignment.
Course Objectives
After the end of this course, students will be able to
Demonstrate broader knowledge and understanding of the jus ad bellum and law of armed conflict, as well as the use of emerging technologies in war and the underlying political and legal questions surrounding their use;
Present and communicate the larger challenges that arise in the use of technology with respect to a specific conflict, in an effective manner;
Critically analyze and summarize legal and political questions surrounding the use of new technologies in armed conflict;
Provide constructive feedback to and analysis of the work of others in this field.
Timetable
On the right side of programme front page of the studyguide you will find links to the website and timetables, uSis and Brightspace.
Mode of Instruction
The course will consist of seven sessions of 2 hours and 45 minutes each. The total study load amounts to 140 hours: 21 of these equal contact hours, whereas the remaining 119 hours will be devoted to self-study (i.e. readings, completing the course assignments etc.). The contact hours will consist primarily of lectures, student presentations and general debates about the course subject. Attendance is mandatory. Students are only allowed to miss more than one lecture if there are special, demonstrable personal circumstances. The Board of Examiners, in consultation with the study advisors, will decide on such an exceptional exemption of mandatory attendance.
Students will have to deliver an assignment on an existing legal/ethical/political challenge with respect to the use of a specific technology in an existing armed conflict, and present their idea outline to the class. Additionally, students will have to provide comments on each other’s work in order to pass this course.
Assessment method
Class Participation (formative assignment)
Pass/fail
Cannot be compensated
Students will get a pass if they have participated (i.e. provided at least one comment/asked at least one question) in at least one class
Providing Feedback on Other Students’ Work
10% of final grade
Grade can be compensated
Resit is not possible
Individual Assignment
50% of final grade
Grade cannot be compensated, a 5.50 is required to pass the course
Resit possible: If a student fails the first attempt, they will have to choose a different topic for the resit.
Presentation
40% of final grade
Grade cannot be compensated, a 5.50 is required to pass the course
Resit possible: If a student fails the first attempt, they will have to choose a different topic for the resit.
Reading list
A selection of books and articles, to be announced on Brightspace.
Registration
Please note, registration for block 4 electives will be organised by the OSC in a different way from the regular course registration for semester 2. More information about this will follow in the beginning of semester 2.
Please note: Registration for the resit of an exam (and exam) is mandatory, this has to be done by the student and can be done from Monday 4 May 2026 until 10 days before the exam. Until 5 days before the exam you can email OSC and fill in a form.
Contact
dr. Isabella E. Brunner [mailto: i.brunner@fgga.leidenuniv.nl]