LW806-7-SP-CO:
Conflict and the UN: Law Relating to the Use of Force and Peacekeeping
2025/26
Essex Law School
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Monday 12 January 2026
Friday 20 March 2026
15
18 March 2025
Requisites for this module
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This module will develop students’ understanding of the international law and practice relating to the regulation of conflict, with a particular emphasis on the role of the United Nations. The module focuses on two principal areas:
- the law relating to the use of force between States (the jus ad bellum), including questions relating to self-defence, collective security and the role of the UN Security Council,
- United Nations-led efforts to address threats to international peace and security, with a particular focus on the deployment of UN forces in peacekeeping and peace enforcement contexts, and the use of sanctions.
The aims of this module are:
- To make students aware of the law and practice relating to the use of force and the maintenance of international peace and security under the UN Charter.
- To familiarise students with concepts and theories related to the development and deployment of peace operations.
- To foster an understanding of the importance of these areas of law within international law, including international human rights law and the law of armed conflict.
- To be able to apply the law to hypothetical and real scenarios.
By the end of the module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the law on the use of force and peacekeeping.
- Critically evaluate and assess the practical application of international law in this area, in the broader context of the institutional law of the United Nations.
- Critically assess and evaluate the law on use of force and peacekeeping as it applies to scenarios.
- Critically consider and evaluate the role of international law in achieving international peace, human rights and security.
Module outline and structure
The module will cover the key areas set out below. The emphasis will be on understanding the relevant legal frameworks and doctrinal questions, and the practical issues arising. The seminars will address:
- Introduction to jus ad bellum and the UN collective security system.
- Self-defence as justification for the use of force.
- Humanitarian intervention and the responsibility to protect.
- Sanctions.
- Legal basis, history and mandates of UN peace operations.
- UN missions and personnel: Status, privileges and immunities, institutional rules and regulations.
- The law of armed conflict, international human rights law, and peace operations.
- The use of force in peace operations.
- Accountability for misconduct.
This module will be delivered via:
Students are required to read, and engage with, the material in advance, and debate and discussion of the relevant topics is encouraged, both in, and outside, class. Specific issues will be examined and discussed during the seminar by reference to various case studies.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Exam |
Main exam: In-Person, Open Book, 180 minutes during Summer (Main Period)
|
| Exam |
Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Open Book, 180 minutes during September (Reassessment Period)
|
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Tuba Turan, email: tturan@essex.ac.uk.
The Law Education Admin Team- pgtlawqueries@essex.ac.uk
Yes
Yes
Yes
Prof Niaz A Shah
The University of Hull
Professor in Law
Available via Moodle
Of 18 hours, 18 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
Essex Law School
* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.
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