LAW4199 - International laws of armed conflict - 2017

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Law

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2017 (Day)

Synopsis

The unit teaches students about the international laws of armed conflict (LOAC), known also as International Humanitarian Law. It will cover the historical development and sources of LOAC, including the permissible methods and means of armed conflict; the protection regime under the Geneva Conventions, their Additional Protocols and the developing body of customary international law; the distinction between combatants and civilians; and enforcement regimes such as that under the International Criminal Court. It will also cover the imbalance of protection between international and non-international armed conflict, and the law of jus ad bellum, that is when war is legal and when it is illegal.

Outcomes

At the successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. identify, articulate, critically assess and apply the law of armed conflict, including its sources and modern application;
  2. understand, analyse and critically evaluate cases which apply the law of armed conflict;
  3. compare and contrast different regimes, including the human rights regime, and the different LOAC regimes applicable in international and non-international armed conflicts;
  4. demonstrate independent research skills to interpret and synthesise relevant legal and policy issues and apply them to a set of facts;
  5. Evaluate the role of international law in managing the phenomenon of armed conflict;
  6. communicate knowledge from this subject effectively and persuasively;
  7. Learn and work autonomously and assess their own capabilities, using feedback to improve performance.

Assessment

Final exam 2.5 hours (plus 30 minutes reading and noting time): 100% OR optional essay 2000 words: 40% AND final exam 2 hours (plus 30 minutes reading and noting time): 60%

Workload requirements

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Chief examiner(s)

Prerequisites

For students who commenced their LLB (Hons) course in 2015 or later:

LAW1111; LAW1114; LAW1112; LAW1113; LAW2101; LAW2102; LAW2112; LAW2111

For students who commenced their LLB course prior to 2015: LAW1100 OR LAW1101 and LAW1102 or LAW1104

Co-requisites

For students who commenced their LLB (Hons) course in 2015 or later: LAW3111; LAW3112