U.S. FOREIGN POLICY AND LAW REGULATING THE USE OF FORCE   [Archived Catalog]
2021-2022 Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog
   

PIA 2470 - U.S. FOREIGN POLICY AND LAW REGULATING THE USE OF FORCE


Minimum Credits: 3
Maximum Credits: 3
This seminar examines the role of both domestic and international law in regulating the use of force as a part of U.S. foreign policy. It focuses on the use of covert action by the CIA as an example of a use of force that is regulated both by domestic and international law. The first portion of the course examines the history of the CIA and its use of covert action. It also examines theoretically and empirically why covert activity is an attractive choice for policymakers and the effect of covert action on relations between states. The course then shifts to discuss domestic regulation of the use of force, focusing on Congress's role in the domestic regulation of the CIA's activities. The course will feature an in depth analysis of primary documents related to U.S. intervention in the Angolan Civil War of the mid-1970s. Lastly, the course examines the role of international law in regulating the use of force abroad. The course examines the laws of war and how international law applies to covert action. Modern extensions of covert activity are also considered, such as the use of private military contractors and drone targeting.
Academic Career: Graduate
Course Component: Seminar
Grade Component: Grad Letter Grade


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