International Humanitarian Law

Subject 730-872 (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:

October, - 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

Mr Bruce Oswald
Subject Overview:

Objectives:

A student who has successfully completed this subject should:

  • Be conversant with the international legal principles regulating the conduct of armed conflict
  • Understand the principal institutional structures for the implementation of international humanitarian law
  • Be aware of the influence of legal principles on military strategy and deployment
  • Understand the key issues for further development of the law and current initiatives for change
  • Appreciate the existence of critiques of the efficacy of the legal principles and be able to evaluate the relative strengths and weaknesses of the law.

Syllabus:

Principal topics will include:

  • 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 the use of force, arms control and disarmament, human rights and international criminal law
  • Implementation of the law, through case studies
  • Current issues for development of the law, such as cluster munitions, child soldiers, the protection of women in armed conflict, the law of occupation and terrorism.
Assessment:
  • Take-home examination (100%) (4–7 December)

    or
  • Research paper 10,000 words (100%) (14 January 2010) (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 2NLawLawYNNNParkvillePARKVILLEInternational Humanitarian Law730-872Mr Bruce Oswald200924 - 26 contact hours per subject.For the latest information on this subject, please visit: http://www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au/subject/730872Melbourne Law Masters, postgraduate law, post-graduate law, graduate law

Objectives:

A student who has successfully completed this subject should:

  • Be conversant with the international legal principles regulating the conduct of armed conflict
  • Understand the principal institutional structures for the implementation of international humanitarian law
  • Be aware of the influence of legal principles on military strategy and deployment
  • Understand the key issues for further development of the law and current initiatives for change
  • Appreciate the existence of critiques of the efficacy of the legal principles and be able to evaluate the relative strengths and weaknesses of the law.

Syllabus:

Principal topics will include:

  • 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 the use of force, arms control and disarmament, human rights and international criminal law
  • Implementation of the law, through case studies
  • Current issues for development of the law, such as cluster munitions, child soldiers, the protection of women in armed conflict, the law of occupation and terrorism.
  • Take-home examination (100%) (4–7 December)

    or
  • Research paper 10,000 words (100%) (14 January 2010) (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.Law730-8722

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