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Course syllabus War, Law and Emerging Technology

Swedish name: Krig, lag och ny teknik

Course code:
2FR011
Valid from semester:
Spring Term 2022
Education cycle:
Second cycle
Scope:
7.5 credits
Progression:
A1N
Grading scale:
Three-grade scale
Main field of study:
Law with specialisation in International Law
Department:
Department of Political Science and Law
Subject:
International and Operational Law
Language of instruction:
The teaching is conducted in English.
Decided by:
Forsknings och utbildningsnämndens kursplaneutskott
Decision date:
2022-01-01

Entry requirements

Bachelor's degree worth 180 credits, of which at least 60 credits are in social sciences, humanities or law, or relevant professional experience.

Course content and structure

This course studies legal issues related to advanced and emerging technologies that are used or may be used in crisis and armed conflicts. The course begins with an introduction to the complex relationship that has developed between war, law and technology. Each week is devoted to a specific technological development and an assessment of the legal consequences of using the technology in crisis and war. The technology evaluated includes:

  • Cyber warfare
  • Unmanned and autonomous weapon systems
  • Human enhancement technology
  • Military use of outer space
  • Big data, surveillance and algorithmic warfare

Type of Instruction
Seminars

Lectures

Independent Study

Objectives

Upon completion of the course, the student is expected to be able to:

  • demonstrate a basic understanding of the functions and operation of the studied technology
  • analyse the impact of the studied technology on the application of the law
  • identify and critically assess the main areas of the debate on the legal issues surrounding the studied technology
  • differentiate between ethical and legal arguments, and apply and analyse the legal arguments in relation to use of the technology in peacetime and conflict

Examination formats

Examination
Scope: 7.5

Grading Scale: Fail, Pass, Pass with Distinction

Course assessment takes place through an individual written assignment as well as active and constructive participation in the mandatory seminars of the course.

The examiner may decide to allow submission of a supplementary assignment to make up for an absence or shortcomings in active and constructive participation in mandatory seminars. After announcement of the supplementary assignment, the student has three working days to for supplementation, unless special circumstances exist that are acceptable to the examiner.

The examiner may decide to allow supplementation in order for a passing grade to be achieved in the course. The supplementary assignment must be submitted no later than ten working days after notification of the examination results and receipt of the supplementary assignment for the examination element in question.

Grading
To earn a grade of Pass, the student must actively and constructively participate in mandatory seminars and receive a grade of Pass on the individual written assignment.

To earn a grade of Pass with Distinction, the student must actively and constructively participate in mandatory seminars and receive a grade of Pass with Distinction on the individual written assignment.

Grading criteria are specified by no later than the start of the course.

Restrictions in Number of Examinations
There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.

Transitional provisions

When a course is no longer provided or when the content of a course has been significantly altered, the student retains the right to be examined in accordance with this course syllabus twice per academic year during a two-year period.

Other regulations

The course cannot be part of a degree whose content is wholly or partly in accordance with the content of this course.

The course is conducted as a freestanding course.

The course will be conducted in English.

On completion of the course, an evaluation will be conducted under the auspices of the course director and will serve as the basis for any changes to the course.

If a student has a decision from the Swedish Defence University regarding special educational support due to a disability, the examiner may decide on alternative forms of examination for the student.

This is an edited version of the syllabus, created to transfer the original to the education database Ladok education planning. For originals, refer to the archive.