Course Syllabus
Learning objectives
Upon completing this course, students should:
- Know and understand the nature and sources of international humanitarian law, as well as have a critical understanding of its fundamental concepts;
- Be able to identify and critically assess the implications of those concepts in the substantive exposition of various issues of contemporary international and non-international armed conflicts;
- Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of various international legal instruments relating to the conduct of hostilities and the protection of vulnerable categories of persons, the environment the and cultural heritage, as well as of the legal regime and relevant practice related to the prohibition on the use of certain weapons; and
- Be able to apply the knowledge so acquired to specific issues arising in connection with armed conflicts.
Contents
The course will provide an overview and analysis of the basic rules and principles that regulate the conduct of armed conflict, with particular attention to the protection of vulnerable persons, to the means and methods of warfare and to the question of accountability for violations of the rules of international humanitarian law.
Detailed program
In particular, the following topics will be addressed:
- Sources and institutions
- International armed conflicts and internal armed conflicts
- The conduct of hostilities
- The protection of vulnerable persons
- The protection of the cultural heritage during armed conflicts
- The protection of the natural environment during armed conflict
- The means and methods of warfare
- The legal regime for prohibited weapons
- Accountability for the violation of the rules of international humanitarian law
Teaching methods
Classes will be taught in the English language.
Assessment methods
Oral exam
Textbooks and Reading Materials
Reading lists will be distributed in advance of the seminars and material will also be distributed during the seminars.
Students attending seminars may prepare the exam on the basis of the material distributed during the seminars.
Students not attending the seminars may prepare the exam on the following textbook: E. Crawford and A. Pert, 'International Humanitarian Law', Cambridge University Press, 2015.