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Unit of Study LAWS2048 - International Humanitarian Law (2021)

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Unit Snapshot

Unit description

Introduces students to the origins, development, key legal instruments, doctrines and institutional structures of international humanitarian law. Discusses key principles which aim to limit the conduct of hostilities and the use of means and methods of warfare, with a specific focus on the protection of the environment in times of armed conflict.

Unit content

Topic 1 Origins, sources and the historical development of IHL
Topic 2 International and non-international armed conflicts
Topic 3 Conduct of hostilities (means and methods of warfare)
Topic 4 Protection of combatants
Topic 5 Protection of civilians
Topic 6 Jus Ad Bellum
Topic 7 Targeting and IHL
Topic 8 Privatization, autonomous weaponry and IHL
Topic 9 ‘War on terror’ and its implications for IHL
Topic 10 Implementation of IHL and the role of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Topic 11 The relationship between IHL and international human rights law, and other branches of international law
Topic 12 Criminal repression of breaches of IHL

Availabilities

Not currently available in 2021

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

describe the origins and rationale that has shaped international humanitarian law, including the key ideas, legal doctrines and institutional structures developed to limit the means and methods of warfare

analyse the central issues and problems in the contemporary international humanitarian law regime from the perspective of theory, policy and practice

apply general principles of law to international humanitarian law

identify and be able to apply, in an effective manner, primary and secondary sources of international humanitarian law, including internet resources, reports and visual media

articulate and appraise different concepts, ideas and approaches to international humanitarian law through concise written and oral interventions

apply their knowledge, understanding and skills to their own interests and be able to articulate, evaluate and reflect on their own ideas and those of others

conduct independent study and group work, including group participation, in order to develop analytical, drafting and oral advocacy skills.