International Humanitarian Law

Subject LAWS70234 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

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

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

May, Parkville - 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: The total class time is between 24 and 26 hours.
Total Time Commitment: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Prerequisites: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Corequisites: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Recommended Background Knowledge: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Non Allowed Subjects: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Core Participation Requirements: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.

Coordinator

Prof Tim Mccormack

Contact

For the most up-to-date information about this subject, contact the Melbourne Law Masters Office by email at law-masters@unimelb.edu.au or phone 8344 6190 or alternatively visit the subject website: www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

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 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.
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.
Assessment:

Take-home examination (100%) (16-19 July)
or
10,000 word research paper (100%) (16 August) on a topic approved by the subject coordinator
Prescribed Texts: Visit the subject website for more information
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Links to further information: http://www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au/

Download PDF version.