International Security Law
International Security Law is a new specialisation offered by the ANU College of Law in 2012.
A distinctive field of international law dealing with security has been developing, particularly since the creation of the United Nations in 1945 through the activities of the United Nations Security Council.
The development of this field of law has involved rapid growth of international law rules, state practice and other institutional practice, jurisprudence, as well as enriched scholarship across the relevant areas of international law such as international humanitarian law, the use of force, and international criminal law. As various security challenges – both old and new – confront us at national, transnational and international levels, there is an ever greater need today for better understanding and critical evaluation of legal issues arising from various security concerns in light of the changing nature and perception of security in the contemporary, globalised world.
The International Security Law specialisation builds upon specialist staff expertise in the ANU College of Law in the field of international security law, and also seeks to complement other courses and programs offered throughout the ANU in the security field (ie. Department of International Relations, Strategic & Defence Studies Centre, and Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy, in the ANU College of Asia & the Pacific). It also complements the existing programs offered by the College in International Law.
A key aspect of this specialisation is to provide specialist education and training in the field of international security law. It is open to any student, whether Australian or international, who wishes to develop knowledge and expertise necessary to consider and critically examine future security challenges within international and transnational legal frameworks. This program is also relevant to the Australian Public Service, where there has been an enormous expansion in national and international security agencies over the past decade. Key agencies that may have an interest in this program include the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Attorney General’s Department, Department of Defence, and the Australian Federal Police.
For law graduates
Master of Laws specialising in International Security Law
Graduate Diploma in Law specialising in International Security Law
For non-law graduates
Master of International Security Law
Graduate Diploma in International Security Law
Your convenor
Dr Hitoshi Nasu is an ethnic Japanese, a proud Australian, and aspires to be a good international citizen. He is a senior lecturer in law at ANU, teaching international law, international security law, international humanitarian law, military operations law, and migration law.
His scholarly interests in the field of international security law include peacekeeping, civilian protection, UN Security Council’s powers and responsibility, security implications of new technologies for legal regulation, peace and security in the Asia-Pacific. He is particularly interested in exploring challenges posed to international law by an expanded conception of security. Find out more about this in his scoping article published in Amsterdam Law Forum.
