Courses in the winter semester 2026/2027
International Law of Peace and Security
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Dr. h.c. Claus Kreß LL.M. (Cambridge)
Peacekeeping law deals with the prohibition under international law of the use and threat of force in international relations as well as the exceptions to this prohibition, i.e. above all the right of self-defense of states and the preconditions for violent measures of collective security within the framework of the United Nations Charter. With Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the war in Gaza, this issue is at the center of public attention. Previously, the use of force by the "Coalition of the Willing" against Iraq (2003), NATO's military operation in Libya (2011) and the fight against the "Islamic State", particularly in Syria (since 2014), had highlighted the legal and political explosiveness of this area of law, which is often summarized under the term ius ad bellum (or more precisely: ius contra bellum). It is not only Germany's military support for Ukraine that makes it clear how important this area of law has become for our country. After a brief historical and systematic introduction, the material will be developed largely through case studies. In this way, the lecture also aims to give an impression of the role international law has played in "big politics" since 1945. For this reason, students of international politics and its history are also very welcome. References will be given in the lecture.
- Fridays, 14:00 - 15:30
- Registration via Klips
Criminal Law I
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Dr. h.c. Claus Kreß LL.M. (Cambridge)
The lecture introduces the methodology of criminal law and the basics of criminal law. The general part of criminal law deals in particular with the general characteristics of the objective and subjective elements of the offense, the grounds for justification and the doctrine of guilt. The special part will deal with bodily injury offenses. These and the offense of manslaughter will also be used to illustrate the general doctrines. The dogmatic issues will be discussed largely on a case-by-case basis and students will often be invited to engage in academic discussion with the lecturer. An outline and literature references will be given at the beginning of the lecture. In addition, students will be provided with brief thematic overviews to accompany the lectures. Students can take a mock exam and a final exam, the dates of which will be announced during the lecture.
- Tuesdays, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Fridays, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Registration via Klips
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