Course on International Law on the Use of Nuclear Weapons
Online 300-hour course in international law on the use of nuclear weapons. 6 modules covering the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (1968), the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (1996) and Zotero. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
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What you will be able to do
Describe the international legal framework relating to nuclear weapons.
Apply the principles of international humanitarian law to their possible use.
Analyse the non-proliferation, testing and verification regime.
Critically evaluate the legal debate on deterrence.
Explain the obligations to assist victims and to carry out environmental remediation.
Compare the positions of States on the Prohibition Treaty.
Develop an integrative legal analysis project.
Who it's for
- Disarmament and non-proliferation analyst wishing to specialise in international law on the use of nuclear weapons.
- International legal adviser wishing to specialise in international law on the use of nuclear weapons.
- Researcher in international relations wishing to specialise in international law on the use of nuclear weapons.
- Staff member of international organisations wishing to specialise in international law on the use of nuclear weapons.
- Lecturer in international law wishing to specialise in international law on the use of nuclear weapons.
- Public policy analyst wishing to specialise in international law on the use of nuclear weapons.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to join international organisations.
What you'll work with
- Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (1968)
- Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (1996)
- Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (2017)
- International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons (1996)
- Additional Protocol I (1977)
- Treaty of Tlatelolco (1967)
- Safeguards Agreement INFCIRC/153 and Additional Protocol INFCIRC/540
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Absence of a single prohibition for decades1.2Applicable sources: treaties, custom and principles1.3Non-Proliferation Treaty and its disarmament article1.4International Court of Justice advisory opinion of 19961.5Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons1.6Nuclear-weapon-free zones1.7Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty1.8Positions of States and blocs1.9Legal vocabulary of the field1.10Exercise: identify the applicable sources in a case scenario
2.1Principle of distinction and weapons with wide-scale effects2.2Proportionality and foreseeable incidental harm2.3Prohibition of indiscriminate attacks2.4Unnecessary suffering and superfluous injury2.5Protection of the environment2.6Long-term effects and future generations2.7Protection of neutral persons and property2.8Reprisals and their lawfulness2.9Doctrine of extreme necessity and its debate2.10Practice: analysis of a case in the light of humanitarian law
3.1Obligations of nuclear-weapon and non-nuclear-weapon States3.2Safeguards agreements and the additional protocol3.3Testing prohibition and monitoring system3.4Physical security of material and conventions3.5Transfer control and supplier groups3.6Mechanisms in the event of non-compliance3.7Withdrawal from treaties and its conditions3.8Reservations and interpretative declarations3.9Review conferences and their dynamics3.10Practice: assess a State's compliance
4.1Nuclear deterrence as policy and its legal fit4.2Threat of use and its treatment4.3No-first-use commitments4.4Security assurances to non-nuclear-weapon States4.5Modernisation of arsenals and the obligation to disarm4.6Participation in alliances involving nuclear weapons4.7Arguments for and against the prohibition treaty4.8Role of civil society and victims4.9Emerging norms and stigmatisation4.10Debate: legality of deterrence
5.1Victims of testing and of historical use5.2Obligations to assist victims5.3Environmental remediation of affected areas5.4State responsibility and reparation5.5National implementing legislation5.6Criminalisation and jurisdiction5.7Export control and corporate compliance5.8Transparency and national reporting5.9Education and public awareness5.10Practice: proposal for national legislation
6.1Choice of State or case6.2Map of applicable legal sources6.3Analysis in the light of humanitarian law6.4Analysis of non-proliferation compliance6.5Identification of gaps and disputes6.6Proposal of national implementation measures6.7Victim assistance and remediation plan6.8Reasoned position on the disarmament debate6.9Analysis report6.10Defence of the work
How you'll learn
Fully 100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment period, which makes it possible to combine the course with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Zotero, NVivo, advanced Excel, ICRC customary IHL database, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied through real analysis procedures based on the 1996 advisory opinion, structured debate on deterrence and legality, and case studies on remediation. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Describe the international legal framework relating to nuclear weapons.
Apply the principles of international humanitarian law to their possible use.
Analyse the non-proliferation, testing and verification regime.
Critically evaluate the legal debate on deterrence.
Explain the obligations to assist victims and to carry out environmental remediation.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow the reading of technical regulations.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.
The course works with Zotero, NVivo, advanced Excel and the ICRC customary IHL database. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a Course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are credited towards the higher programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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