This advanced, practice-focused seminar examines how national security law operates in real time—where legal rules intersect with urgent threats, political pressures, and high-stakes decision-making. The course explores the legal authorities governing military action, intelligence operations, surveillance, counterterrorism, sanctions, and emergency powers.
Students will analyze how lawyers advise executive branch officials, intelligence agencies, military leaders, and private-sector actors navigating national security risks. The course integrates constitutional law, statutory frameworks, and international law, with particular attention to separation of powers, executive authority, and judicial oversight.
The seminar treats national security law as a live operational discipline, where legal advice shapes real-world outcomes in crises, conflicts, and global competition. Students will develop practical skills in legal analysis, strategic advising, and risk assessment under conditions of uncertainty.
This course assumes prior study of constitutional law or public law.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
1. Understand the legal framework governing U.S. national security.
2. Analyze executive, legislative, and judicial roles in national security decisions.
3. Evaluate legal authorities for military and intelligence operations.
4. Assess surveillance and counterterrorism laws.
5. Understand sanctions and economic security tools.
6. Analyze emergency powers and crisis responses.
7. Evaluate legal constraints on government action.
8. Advise clients on national security risks.
9. Navigate conflicts between security and civil liberties.
10. Apply legal principles to real-world national security scenarios.
