Course features

The Just War Tradition is a key framework for ethical reflection on war and conflict. With roots in classical and theological thought, it continues to inform modern international law, military doctrine, and public discourse. But how do we decide when it is morally acceptable to go to war — and how wars should be fought?

In this self-paced course, you will explore the core principles of the Just War Tradition and how they are applied in contemporary conflicts. Led by Professor David Whetham, a renowned expert in military ethics, the course draws on historical, philosophical, and real-world examples, examining:

• The origins and philosophical foundations of Just War thinking

• The criteria for assessing the justice of going to war (jus ad bellum)

• Ethical considerations in the conduct of war (jus in bello)

• The emerging debates around justice after war (jus post bellum)

• How the Just War Tradition applies to real-world case studies and modern warfare

Through guided reflection and applied ethical reasoning, you’ll gain the tools to critically evaluate the legitimacy of military actions and the responsibilities of those who wage war.

Course format

This self-paced course is delivered through the edX learning platform and is designed to be completed in approximately 5 hours.

What you'll learn

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Understand the historical and philosophical roots of the Just War Tradition

• Explain the key principles of jus ad bellum, jus in bello, and jus post bellum

• Analyse real-world conflicts through the lens of Just War criteria

• Reflect on the ethical challenges facing military professionals in today’s security environment

• Explore tensions between legal, moral, and practical considerations in warfare

• Engage with debates around humanitarian intervention, asymmetrical conflict, and war termination

• Apply ethical frameworks to assess responsibility and accountability in modern military operations

Entry Requirements

No formal requirements. English proficiency recommended (IELTS Level 6).

Further information

King’s College London has partnered with the online education platform edX to deliver self-paced short courses to learners worldwide. Anyone can audit the course materials for free, excluding graded assessments, for a limited time.

For full access to the course, including graded assessments, and to obtain a verified certificate upon successful completion, the USD fee is $249.

The GBP course fee displayed on this page is for illustrative purposes only and subject to change in line with current exchange rates.

Payment for verified access to the course is made directly via edX. Please see edX Terms of Service for further information.