LW803-7-AU-CO:
International Law of Armed Conflict
2023/24
Essex Law School
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
15
19 October 2023
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
LW804
LLM M20012 International Humanitarian Law,
LLM M20024 International Humanitarian Law
The risk of both individual and large-scale violations of human rights is perhaps greatest in time of armed conflict, whether internal or international. Rules of international law have been designed to protect vulnerable groups not taking part in the hostilities and to regulate the conduct of the fighting to reduce, so far as possible, the risk to civilians, while taking account of military necessity.
The module starts with an introduction to the concept of legal regulation of war and the general underlying principles, to provide a context. This is followed by an examination of the classification of armed conflict and the different types of conflict recognised in international law. Then follows a detailed examination of the law on the conduct of operations and weapon use before turning to the rules designed to protect the 'victims of war'. The module includes a class examining the means available to prevent and to punish violations of the rules, and ends with a consideration of the interplay between the regimes of human rights and humanitarian law.
The emphasis throughout the module is practical. Examples are taken from real conflict situations. Since the law reflects not only humanitarian concerns but also political imperatives and military necessity, the module seeks to examine how, in practical terms, respect for the rules could be improved.
The aim of the course is to gain an understanding of the principles and rules of international law applying to armed conflicts, also known as International Humanitarian Law.
By the end of the course, the students will be expected to have achieved the following:
1. Discuss and evaluate the role and nature of the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC)
2. Explain and apply the rules governing the conduct of hostilities.
3. Explain and evaluate the protection of civilians under LOAC
4. Discuss the implementation and enforcement of LOAC
5. Understand the distinction between LOAC and international human rights law
6. Apply the relevant principles of LOAC to specific cases
Course outline. This can be subject to change.
Seminar 1
The Principles of International Humanitarian Law
Seminar 2
The Classification of Armed Conflict
Seminar 3
Conduct of Hostilities 1 (military objectives, proportionality)
Seminar 4
Conduct of Hostilities 2 (use of weapons)
Seminar 5
Individual Status in the Conduct of Hostilities: Civilians and Combatants
Seminar 6
Detention in Armed Conflict
Seminar 7
Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked; the Laws of Occupation
Seminar 8
Implementation of IHL, War Crimes, and the Mechanisms of Justice
Seminar 9
LOAC and Human Rights Law
This module will be taught via weekly 2-hour seminars.
The module teaching team will upload all relevant teaching materials on Moodle. You will find reading lists, the textbook, weekly handouts or PPS notes on Moodle. The materials in question are designed both to help you navigate the material to be covered in the seminars and to equip you to analyse the required readings. You will be expected to have completed the required readings in advance of your seminars.
This module does not appear to have any essential texts. To see non - essential items, please refer to the module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Essay (LW803 International Law of Armed Conflict) |
|
100% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Gus Waschefort, email: g.waschefort@essex.ac.uk.
Law Education Office, pgtlawqueries@essex.ac.uk
Yes
No
Yes
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
Of 18 hours, 18 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
Essex Law School
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