OAGR 2200 - The Geopolitics and Law of Arms and Dual-Use Transfers

***UPDATED for 2026/27***

Transfers of arms and dual-use technologies are a core feature of renewed global power competition. Arms deliveries are used as political and strategic instruments. This was prominently illustrated by the meeting between Presidents Trump and Zelensky at the Oval Office in February 2025. The access to emerging technologies is also both the object and driver of increased global competition. This course examines how dual-use and arms transfers shape and are shaped by geopolitics and geostrategic developments. It also explains the respective international legal framework, including the Arms Trade Treaty and export control regimes, and recent national regulations. Overall, the course offers an understanding of how arms and dual-use transfers as well as related international law are at play in a new geopolitical era.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Know the theoretical foundations and the scholarly literature on the politics and law on transnational arms transfers
• Know the theoretical foundations and the scholarly literature on the politics and law on transnational transfers of dual-use technologies
• Know the current developments and trends regarding global arms and dual-use transfers
• Master multilevel analysis of a global phenomenon with geopolitical and normative implications
• Master multidisciplinary and critical thinking regarding a complex and evolving global phenomenon
• Ability to debate and communicate regarding the implications and significance of global developments regarding emerging technology and international (non-)cooperation
• Experience in policymaking through a policy simulation

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Multilevel academic and policy analysis; effective debating; effective oral communication; effective written communication

N/A

Instant oral feedback in debate during class; oral feedback after policy simulation in class; oral feedback on final take-home paper on demand after the end of the semester

• Class participation 10%
• Participation in policy simulation 30%
• Final take-home paper, incl. an analysis of the output of an AI model (60%))

• In Class Presence: 4-hours classes / 24 hours a semester
• Online learning activities: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Reading and Preparation for Class: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Research and Preparation for Group Work: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 5 hours a week / 60 hours a semester