Unit Overview
- Description
This unit explores the development and operation of international humanitarian law, which is the body of public international law that regulates conduct during armed conflict. The unit examines key issues relating to international humanitarian law and its application, enabling students to examine the historical and theoretical developments, sources, fundamental principles and objectives of the rules governing both international and internal armed conflicts. Topics include the constraints on means and methods of warfare; the protection of civilians and prisoners of war; means of enforcement of international humanitarian law, including criminal prosecution; and the relationship of the laws of armed conflict with international human rights law, and national law. The unit has a research focus, developing the independent research skills of students who explore a variety of primary and secondary materials in the field of international humanitarian law.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Non-standard teaching period UWA (Perth) On-campus -
The timetable for this teaching period is not currently available. Please see the Important Dates page for the timetable release date and other key date information.
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) demonstrate thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law, its relationship with other branches of international law and its application in the real world; (2) engage with the theoretical debates underlying the principles of humanitarian law, use and critically examine theoretical material on international humanitarian law, and situate and critically evaluate political and cultural factors which influence the development and application of international humanitarian law; (3) utilise a variety of primary and secondary sources and apply appropriate research methods to investigate research questions in international humanitarian law; (4) present orally and in writing well developed and critical arguments on issues relating to international humanitarian law and its application in the field; and (5) apply international humanitarian law to real world situations.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) research essay; (2) in-class test; and (3) in-class and online participation. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Emily Camins
- Note
- Please note that this unit is taught in a non-standard teaching period. The start date indicates when you are required to do preparatory work, including readings or online modules, for this unit. The end date indicates when all assessments in this unit will be completed. In person classes in this unit will be scheduled at a time between the start date and the end date. Please check the timetable to find out when in person classes in this unit are currently scheduled.
- Texts
Emily Crawford & Alison Pert, International Humanitarian Law (3rd edition, Cambridge, 2024).
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.