International Law, Weapons & Disarmament (LAWS90270) // Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Option 1

Admission into a Melbourne Law Masters program

Or equivalent prior study

This subject examines the progress towards disarmament, a fundamental pillar of the UN Charter order said to underpin the peaceful settlement of disputes and the avoidance of military conflict. Throughout the UN Charter era the scope, definition, and goals of disarmament have been the subject of perpetual struggle with a range of relevant actors – including states, international organisations, companies, and ‘civil society’ groups – influencing the process and ambitions of weapons regulation and disarmament.

Yet despite this wide range of diverse actors, legal doctrine and orthodox accounts continue to focus attention on inter-state initiatives and, in particular, ‘great power’ actions. This subject offers a broader analysis, taking a theoretically and historically engaged approach to assessing the development and prospects of progress towards disarmament.