Law of Armed Conflict and International Criminal Law unit (LAW277)

Introduction

Some argue that war, of all human activity, is no place for law; any notion that law might regulate military conduct is naive and deluded. Although egregious violations of the law are common, international criminal courts and tribunals hold some of those most responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide to account. This has led to a surge in awareness of International Humanitarian Law and, some would argue, increased respect for this body of law. This unit explores the development and operation of two dynamic and interacting bodies of international law - international criminal and international humanitarian law. International Humanitarian Law (also known as the Law of War or the Law of Armed Conflict) is the body of international law which regulates the conduct of military hostilities - distinguishing between combatants and civilians, imposing limits on the targeting of military objectives, prohibiting the use of particular weapons and establishing minimum standards of treatment for prisoners of war and civilians affected by armed conflict. You will consider the historical development of International Humanitarian Law, its substantive rules, and its efficacy as a tempering influence on human suffering in armed conflict. You will also explore the contribution that International Criminal Law is making to increased awareness of and respect for the law, particularly through the conduct of war crimes trials.

Summary

Unit name	Law of Armed Conflict and International Criminal Law
Unit code	LAW277
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Arts and Society Faculty of Law
Discipline	Law
Coordinator	Professor Tim McCormack
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Intermediate

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Learning Outcomes

• Describe and explain the core features of the broad topic areas of International Humanitarian Law and International Criminal Law and how those two bodies of international law intersect
• Identify, conceptualise and research International Humanitarian Law and International Criminal Law problems and issues
• Contexutalise International Humanitarian Law and International Criminal Law in the broader policy, diplomatic, military and political contexts in which these bodies of law operate
• Evaluate the efficacy of existing International Humanitarian Law and International Criminal Law, identify major challenges to both legal regimes, and assess options for law reform

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Requisites

Prerequisites

Successful completion of LAW102 is required before enrolling in LAW277

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

LAW623 and LAW677

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Thursday 9 and Friday 10 January 2025. Wednesday 22, Thursday 23 and Friday 24 January 2025. Tuesday 28 and Friday 31 January 2025. Monday 3, Tuesday 4, Wednesday 5, Thursday 6 and Friday 7 February 2025.   All classes from 1:00pm-4:00pm.
Assessment	Assessment Task 1: Video-recorded response to part of a judgement (10%)|Assessment Task 3: Examination - Take Home (40%)|Assessment Task 2: Research Paper (50%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Rain Liivoja and Tim McCormack (eds), Routledge Handbook of the Law of Armed Conflict, (Routledge, 2016). The UTas Library has purchased an eBook version of the text and students enrolled in the unit will be provided with details to download a free pdf copy of it prior to the commencement of the Unit.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.