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LAWS13-567: Laws of Armed Conflict and Peacekeeping

Description

Laws of Armed Conflict and Peacekeeping is an elective subject in undergraduate programs offered by the Faculty of Law. This subject considers the legal frameworks and institutions that regulate the conduct of armed conflicts (jus in bello), and the use of force (jus ad bellum). Students will be required to consider questions such as: What constitutes an armed conflict? Who is a combatant, and who is a civilian? Should the law of armed conflict apply to terrorists? What weapons are lawful, and why? What constitutes a war crime? Who is a war criminal? How should the law respond to the issue of child soldiers? Are United Nations peacekeeping operations appropriate? At the end of the subject, students will understand the relevant sources of international law such as international treaties, customary international law and judicial decision making. Students will also have considered the relationships between the law of armed conflict, human rights, refugee law, and domestic legal frameworks.

Subject details

Type: Undergraduate Subject
Code: LAWS13-567
EFTSL: 0.125
Faculty: Faculty of Law
Credit: 10
Subject fees:
  • Commencing in 2023: $4,050.00
  • Commencing in 2023: $5,400.00

Learning outcomes

  1. Demonstrate understanding of the philosophical debates underpinning the law of armed conflict and peacekeeping.
  2. Critically analyse relevant legal frameworks and institutions.
  3. Construct and justify logical arguments explaining whether or not law reform is necessary.
  4. Use research and critical thinking skills to identify an appropriate topic on which to develop and produce a written research paper.
  5. Use oral communication skills to deliver a presentation on the chosen research topic.

Enrolment requirements

Requisites:

Nil

Assumed knowledge:

Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge.

Restrictions:

Students must be admitted into a Bachelor law degree or Bachelor of Laws combined degree or be an approved Law Study Abroad OR Law exchange student.

This subject is not available as a general elective. To be eligible for enrolment, the subject must be specified in the students’ program structure.