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International Humanitarian Law (LAWS70234)
Graduate coursework level 7Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
April
Lecturers
Email: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 8344 6190
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability(Quotas apply) | April |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
The implementation of the legal rules governing the conduct of military hostilities is literally a matter of life and death. The lecturers in this subject combine current international practice in the relevant law with acknowledged research and practical expertise. This subject briefly introduces the historical development of international humanitarian law and raises a series of questions around the effective implementation of the law.
- What is an armed conflict and how do we determine the legal character of a conflict?
- How do combatants distinguish between civilians and enemy combatants and how can protection for civilians in armed conflict—particularly women and children—be improved?
- Who can lawfully be targeted and killed and who can be detained?
- Which weapons are prohibited and which are permitted?
Principal topics include:
- The historical development of international humanitarian law and its rationale in a broader context
- The Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Additional Protocols of 1977 and developments in customary international law
- The unique role of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in armed conflict
- The relationship of international humanitarian law to other related areas of international law, such as arms control and disarmament, human rights, peacekeeping and international criminal law
- Implementation of the law through case studies
- Current issues for development of the law, such as emerging technologies, child soldiers, the protection of women in armed conflict and the law of occupation and terrorism.
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject will:
- Have an advanced and integrated understanding of the international legal principles regulating the conduct of armed conflict and their impact on military strategy
- Be able to critically examine, analyse, interpret and assess the effectiveness of the rules of international humanitarian law, and where relevant, other areas of international and domestic law, in relation to the conduct of hostilities and military operations where the use of force is envisaged
- Be an engaged participant in debate regarding emerging and contemporary issues in the field such as military necessity, the application of human rights law, the law of occupation, the protection of victims of armed conflict and the means and methods of warfare
- Have a sophisticated capacity to analyse the principal institutional structures for the implementation of international humanitarian law and the general legal framework that governs the use of force by military forces
- Have the cognitive and technical skills to generate critical and creative ideas relating to existing approaches to the effectiveness of international humanitarian law, and the key issues for further development of the law and current initiatives for change
- Have the cognitive and technical skills to independently examine, research and analyse existing and emerging issues in applying international humanitarian law in military operations, and appreciate the existence of critiques of the efficacy of the legal principles
- Have the communication skills to clearly articulate and convey complex information regarding the application of international humanitarian law in international and non-international armed conflicts to relevant specialist and non-specialist audiences
- Be able to demonstrate autonomy, expert judgement and responsibility as a practitioner and learner in the field of international humanitarian law.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Successful completion of the below subject, or an equivalent subject:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS70173 | Principles of International Law |
July (On Campus - Parkville)
March (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are offered in the discipline of law at an advanced graduate level. While every effort will be made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, concessions will not be made in the general level of instruction or assessment. Most subjects assume the knowledge usually acquired in a degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent). Applicants should note that admission to some subjects in the Melbourne Law Masters will be dependent upon the individual applicant’s educational background and professional experience.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- Take-home examination(5,000 - 6,000 words) (100%) (16 - 19 June)
or - 8,000 - 10,000 word research paper (100%) (26 July) on a topic approved by the subject coordinator
A minimum of 75% attendance is a hurdle requirement.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- April
Principal coordinator Bruce Oswald Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24-26 hours Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 29 March 2017 Teaching period 26 April 2017 to 2 May 2017 Last self-enrol date 31 March 2017 Census date 26 April 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 June 2017 Assessment period ends 26 July 2017 April contact information
Lecturers
Email: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 8344 6190
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
136-150 hours The pre-teaching period commences four weeks before the subject commencement date. From this time, students are expected to access and review the Reading Guide that will be available from the LMS subject page and the subject materials provided by the subject coordinator, which will be available from Melbourne Law School. Refer to the Reading Guide for confirmation of which resources need to be read and what other preparation is required before the teaching period commences.
Additional delivery details
This subject has a quota of 30 students. Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters website for further information about the management of subject quotas and waitlists.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Specialist printed materials will be made available free of charge from the Melbourne Law School prior to the pre-teaching period.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Law and Development Course Master of Public and International Law Course Graduate Diploma in International Law Course Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies Course Master of Laws - Links to additional information
law.unimelb.edu.au
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
If required, please contact law-admissions@unimelb.edu.au for subject coordinator approval.
Last updated: 3 November 2022