Law and Politics of International Security
You programme in a nutshell
A vital programme for a turbulent world
Choosing to take this Master means you will be challenged to think through the historical development and philosophical underpinnings of concrete, topical issues. You will be stimulated to participate in extra-colloquial seminars with experts and practitioners in the field of international peace and security. Field trips to international organizations and international tribunals are an integral part of the programme.
Multidisciplinary approach
The master offers a curriculum that focuses on international security from the perspectives of international law (especially conflict and security law) and international relations (especially security and conflict studies). Moreover, it provides insight in the common foundations of the two disciplines, the different methods and theories of both disciplines as well as the interplay between international law and international politics in the area of international security.
Subjects
The programme covers the following subjects:
- Historical doctrines and theories of war
- UN system of collective security
- Role and powers of the Security Council
- The changing nature of war
- Legal constraints on warfare
- Principles and limits of humanitarian law
- International terrorism
- Counter-terrorism, human rights and humanitarian law
- Security dilemma
- Arms control and disarmament
- Building of security communities
- Democratic politics and war
- Democratization processes and conflict
- Human security
Programme
The programme is taught in English and consists of:
- three compulsory courses
- three optional courses
- a final dissertation (between 15,000 and 25,000 words)
If you do not have sufficient background in international relations theory and/or public international law, you are obliged to take the courses International Relations Theory and/or Public International Law.
Overview of the compulsory and optional courses for the Law and Politics of International Security programme
Credits and title
Credits are listed according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). This system is based on student workload, which includes hours spent in class, studying, writing papers and completing assignments. A full academic year is equivalent to 60 ECTS credits, one semester to 30 ECTS. The degree of Master in Law (LLM) is conferred upon students who satisfactorily achieve a minimum of 60 credits.
Schedule
The regular academic year in the Netherlands runs from September through June and is divided into a semester system. July and August are holiday months. Remember that all schedules are subject to change! See the calendar for the year 2011-2012.
