International Humanitarian Law (LAWS70234)
Graduate coursework level 7Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
March
Teaching staff
Alison Duxbury (Subject Coordinator)
Helen Durham
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
Overview
| Availability(Quotas apply) | March |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
The implementation of the legal rules governing the conduct of military hostilities is literally a matter of life and death. 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?
Indicative list of principal topics:
- 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 the application of human rights law, the law of occupation and emerging technologies.
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject should be able to:
- Critically examine and explain the historical development of the international legal rules, principles and institutions regulating the conduct of state and nonstate actors in armed conflict (i.e. International Humanitarian Law)
- Critically examine, analyse, interpret and assess the operation of the rules of international humanitarian law, and where relevant, other areas of international and domestic law
- Critically analyse the principal institutions for the implementation of international humanitarian law and the general legal framework that governs the conduct of hostilities in armed conflicts
- Independently research, analyse and engage with existing and emerging 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 regulation of new technologies of war
- 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.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Students should have successfully completed
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWS70173 | International Law |
March (On Campus - Parkville)
August (On Campus - Parkville)
April (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
OR have an educational or professional background in public international law
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Class participation and Group task | Throughout the teaching period | 10% |
Reflective essay
| 1 Weeks after the end of teaching | 30% |
Take-home examination
| 23 - 26 May 2025 | 60% |
| Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance is required. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- March
Principal coordinator Alison Duxbury Coordinator Helen Durham Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 34 Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 26 February 2025 Pre teaching requirements Please refer to Canvas LMS to check on the pre-class readings and preparatory learning activities before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 26 March 2025 to 1 April 2025 Last self-enrol date 3 March 2025 Census date 28 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025 Assessment period ends 13 June 2025 March contact information
Teaching staff
Alison Duxbury (Subject Coordinator)
Helen DurhamFor current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters enrolment webpage for further information about re-enrolment, subject quotas and waitlists.
Melbourne Law School may reserve places in a subject for incoming international cohorts or where a subject is core to a specialisation with limited alternate options.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Laws Course Graduate Diploma in International Law Course Graduate Diploma in Laws Course Master of Public and International Law Course Master of Law and Development Course Juris Doctor - Links to additional information
- 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
If subject coordinator approval is required, or for further information about Community Access Program study, please contact us
(enquiries for current students | enquiries for prospective students).
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 4 March 2025