Women, War and Peacebuilding

Subject 730-740 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 7 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

May, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 24 - 26 contact hours per subject.
Total Time Commitment: The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidates background and experience.
Prerequisites:

Successful completion of Principles of International Law or equivalent..

Corequisites: N.A.
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: N.A.

Coordinator

Dr Helen Anne Durham, Prof Dianne Otto
Subject Overview:

Objectives:

A student who has successfully completed this subject should:

  • Have a comprehensive understanding of the range of legal issues that impact on women as civilians, victims, refugees, widows and combatants during time of armed conflict and in the post-conflict period of peace-building
  • Be conversant with the international legal norms, in particular international humanitarian law and human rights law, which can provide protection for women during times of armed conflict, and the efficacy of these laws
  • Be aware of the recent developments relating to the international prosecution of gendered crimes as a form of war crime, crime against humanity or genocide, and associated procedural issues
  • Understand the current debates on the need to increase protection for women during times of armed conflict and internal disturbances
  • Understand why women are usually excluded from formal peace-making and peace-building processes, despite the important contributions that they are often able to make
  • Have a critical understanding of the role of law in protecting and promoting women’s autonomy and physical integrity in the contexts of militarism and fundamentalist regimes.

Syllabus:

Principal topics will include:

  • An analysis of women in ‘war’ (broadly defined) as civilians, victims, survivors, refugees, widows, combatants and peace-makers
  • The links between war and issues such as women’s inequality and inequitable economic and social conditions
  • The Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their 1977 Additional Protocols
  • Refugee law and human rights law relating to women’s rights
  • The developing jurisprudence from the ad hoc international criminal tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia dealing specifically with gendered violence
  • Crimes specifically relating to women in the Statute for the International Criminal Court
  • The impact of Security Council Resolution 1325 on women’s participation in peace-building
  • The role played by international non-government organisations in the development of the law and in peace-building
  • Relevant case studies.

Assessment:
  • Examination 3 hours (100%) (10 July, pm)

    or
  • Research paper 10,000 words (100%) (20 August) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
Prescribed Texts: Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.
Links to further information: P12.507Semester 1NLawLawYNNNParkvillePARKVILLEWomen, War and Peacebuilding730-740Dr Helen Anne Durham, Prof Dianne Otto200924 - 26 contact hours per subject.For the latest information on this subject, please visit: http://www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au/subject/730740Melbourne Law Masters, postgraduate law, post-graduate law, graduate law

Objectives:

A student who has successfully completed this subject should:

  • Have a comprehensive understanding of the range of legal issues that impact on women as civilians, victims, refugees, widows and combatants during time of armed conflict and in the post-conflict period of peace-building
  • Be conversant with the international legal norms, in particular international humanitarian law and human rights law, which can provide protection for women during times of armed conflict, and the efficacy of these laws
  • Be aware of the recent developments relating to the international prosecution of gendered crimes as a form of war crime, crime against humanity or genocide, and associated procedural issues
  • Understand the current debates on the need to increase protection for women during times of armed conflict and internal disturbances
  • Understand why women are usually excluded from formal peace-making and peace-building processes, despite the important contributions that they are often able to make
  • Have a critical understanding of the role of law in protecting and promoting women’s autonomy and physical integrity in the contexts of militarism and fundamentalist regimes.

Syllabus:

Principal topics will include:

  • An analysis of women in ‘war’ (broadly defined) as civilians, victims, survivors, refugees, widows, combatants and peace-makers
  • The links between war and issues such as women’s inequality and inequitable economic and social conditions
  • The Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their 1977 Additional Protocols
  • Refugee law and human rights law relating to women’s rights
  • The developing jurisprudence from the ad hoc international criminal tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia dealing specifically with gendered violence
  • Crimes specifically relating to women in the Statute for the International Criminal Court
  • The impact of Security Council Resolution 1325 on women’s participation in peace-building
  • The role played by international non-government organisations in the development of the law and in peace-building
  • Relevant case studies.

  • Examination 3 hours (100%) (10 July, pm)

    or
  • Research paper 10,000 words (100%) (20 August) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidates background and experience.Please see the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website for up to date timetable information.

Successful completion of Principles of International Law or equivalent..

N.A.N.A.Law730-7402

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